West Kelowna News

They left a note of apology after returning stolen items in the dead of night.

Having stolen items returned is almost unheard of, but that's what has happened to a West Kelowna man who was collecting items for charity.

On June 12, 31 computer monitors were stolen from in front of a residence in West Kelowna where they were being stored before being shipped overseas.

Tuesday evening, the monitors were returned to the yard they were stolen from. A note of apology was taped to the boxes holding the monitors.

The note, written in blue ink, stated 'sorry for the trouble, hope you forgive us. Hope those kids in Africa enjoy.'

Ludwig Teichgraber is the man who has been collecting computers and other items to ship to Africa and is shocked that they got the monitors back.

“I received an anonymous email from someone early Tuesday morning. The person wanted to know how to positively identify the stolen monitors. I communicated back and forth with the person, told them what the serial numbers were and so on. Then on Tuesday evening, my wife looked out the window and saw boxes sitting on our driveway. In the boxes were 29 of the 31 monitors,” says Teichgraber.

He says they were dropped off between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. and neither he nor his wife heard or saw anything.

“They were returned as quietly as they were taken. It's just amazing. I'm so thankful to this person. We don't know who the person is, but I want him or her to know that they have helped save lives.”

The monitors Teichgraber has been collecting are destined for hospitals in Africa and in some cases, they will be the first computer systems the facilities have ever had.

He says since media reports of the stolen monitors went out, he has received calls from about a dozen people hoping to help replace the stolen items.

"I've had many people contact me saying they read about the situation on Castanet and asking how they can help."

Constable Steve Holmes says the investigation into the monitors is still ongoing, but they are thrilled they have been returned.

See a larger picture of the apology note. (Photo: Kelly Hayes - Castanet)

Link: Donated computer monitors stolen Link: Time to replace stolen monitors