Burglar returns stolen goods, apologizes

updated 8:21 p.m. ET Aug. 31, 2007

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A burglar visited Graeme Glass' home in New Zealand twice in one day — first to steal some goods and later to return them, along with a heartfelt apology note.

The thief struck while Glass was at work in the southern resort of Queenstown on Tuesday.

The burglar smashed a window to gain entry and made off with a laptop computer, a camera, and Glass' wallet with an American Express credit card.

The thief returned the goods later in the day, along with a new basketball and two pairs of gloves bought on the stolen credit card.

Glass and his wife, Shirley, discovered the loot piled on their kitchen table with a neat, handwritten full-page note from the burglar saying he was sorry for "violating the safety and security of your home."

The robber also promised to leave cash in Glass' mailbox to pay for the smashed window when he had enough money.

"I have never written truer words when I say that I wish that I had never done this to you and your family," the note read. "From the bottom of my heart I am sorry."

Queenstown police said they have a description of the thief from staff in the stores where the credit card was used.

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