Conscience-stricken burglars steal, then return computers to sexual assault center

This is a burglary with a happy ending of sorts.

A group of thieves broke into and took computers from the San Bernardino Sexual Assault Services building in California but returned them after having an apparent conscience attack, Mashable reported.

Not only that—the thieves left a note apologizing for the July 31 theft, the tech site added.

"We're still in shock. I know they committed a crime, but the compassion that they showed is really overwhelming," the center's executive director Candy Stallings told Mashable.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, in a blog post, also quoted Stallings as saying the officers in the area "said they had never seen anything like that in 20 years of service."

Stallings quoted police as saying the burglars gained access to the building by crawling above the ceiling panels, taking the computers and laptops.

But a few hours later, she got a call from the police and returned to the center, where she saw the stolen equipment—along with an apology note—in a shopping cart.

"We had no idea what we were takeing (sic). Here (is) your stuff back. We hope that you guys can continue to make a difference in people's live(s). God bless," said the note, according to a photo posted on Mashable.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services said Stallings believes the thieves' change of heart was due to a conversation with a police officer.

It quoted Stallings as saying transients keep a close knit community in the area around the center, "and they must have spread the word on what the stolen items were being used for."



Meanwhile, the incident brought attention to the sexual assault services clinic.

Stallings noted more people are calling and making use of the center's resources.

"It's been unbelievable that a note of compassion can increase attention to the services," she said.

Following the incident, Mashable said Stallings posted her own note of compassion outside the center, with the message "Thank you for caring." — VC, GMA News