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A Guelph family didn't realize their home had been broken into until they found a bag with the stolen items along with $50 attached to a letter of apology from the thief.

The thief wrote the burglary was "the worst mistake in my life" and that the money would cover the cost of repairing a screen door broken in the robbery, in which a camera and video game console were taken.

The note explained the "ashamed" thief would perform at least 15 hours of community service.

Guelph police Sgt. Doug Pflug says the items were taken last Thursday night while the family was out walking their dog, but returned in a green bag found the next morning.

He says the family was shocked to find the bag with their stolen goods and apology money, and only then realized they'd been robbed.

Sgt. Pflug says Guelph last saw a repentant thief last August, when two items stolen from parked cars were returned with an apology note signed "two stupid kids."

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