Kind notebook thief sends victim his data back

Swedish source TheLocal has reported this week that a lucky professor at the Ume� University in northern Sweden has had his data returned to him anonymously after a thief stole his notebook.

On the way to the laundry room, the professor dropped his backpack behind a door in the nearest stairwell, knowing he would be back within five minutes.

That was all it took for a thief to take the bag, which held his computer, calender, keys and other documents. The professor said he was most saddened by the loss of his calender: "It is my life. I have documented everything in it that has happened in the last 10 years and beyond."

The professor then called the police to report the incident and cancelled his credit cards. Much to his surprise, however, he returned to the stairwell a couple of hours later and found the backpack returned, with everything in it except for his notebook and a library card.

One week later, the story gets even more interesting as the professor returned home from class to find an envelope waiting in his mailbox that had a USB flash drive in it. The drive was full of all of the professor's data from the notebook.

"I am very happy," says the professor. "This story makes me feel hope for humanity."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 20 Oct 2010 22:55

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25 comments

KillerBug

That is a really nice thief!

20.10.2010 23:02 #1

toked

Um, can the guy who stole my mp3 player return my...my mp3 player?

20.10.2010 23:12 #2

crunk15

and now the thief is a hero.

21.10.2010 03:29 #3

mike.m

Obama should give the thief his Nobel Peace Prize.

21.10.2010 03:33 #4

lxfactor

lol... all praise the thief

21.10.2010 04:56 #5

GryphB

Originally posted by toked: Um, can the guy who stole my mp3 player return my...my mp3 player? No, but I'm sure they will send you a usb with all of your songs on it lol.

21.10.2010 06:03 #6

bochi

maybe the thief will send you an mp3 cd

21.10.2010 07:27 #7

xboxdvl2

I once found a mobile phone in a park in the grass.the owner contacted me and wanted the sim card back.really nice phone so i offered to sticky tape the sim to the bottom of a phone box and send him a text from the phone box.The sim card was deactivate shorty after.sold the phone and destoyed the sim.I got mugged once and they didnt take my wallet.They took my phone and all the money in my wallet but gave me the wallet back.Unless the thief targeted his laptop for specific data,chances are they wanted quick cash.they obviously knew he valued his data more than the costs of replacing his laptop so they returned the data.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

21.10.2010 07:31 #8

iamgq

that thief kicks butt!

True thug Afterdawn memeber since 05! Shout out to all those old school member still in the ranks of Newbie! Represent!

21.10.2010 07:46 #9

Frogfart

Stupid man. Thats what happens when you leave valuables lying around under stairwells. But at least he now has a USB Pen to backup his important data.

21.10.2010 08:17 #10

dEwMe

Eh the theif is either a moron or wants to get caught...He sure is going out of his way to expose himself...

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

21.10.2010 12:42 #11

scorpNZ

The Prof an idiot for not having a backup of the data ,it's not only stolen data you need worry about

21.10.2010 18:38 #12

Amak

He's an idiot for leaving his valuables unattended.

22.10.2010 02:15 #13

12kdgfytbutdu (unverified)

Originally posted by Amak: He's an idiot for leaving his valuables unattended. That's what she said...

22.10.2010 08:54 #14

fiasko444

seems to me like the thief had a good heart but was dirt poor.

the university will probably buy the prof a new comp anyway.

power to the thief

22.10.2010 10:57 #15

Mr-Movies

There is honor in thieves after all!

22.10.2010 15:09 #16

husdaman

The prof needs dropbox.

22.10.2010 21:42 #17

dab0ne

If he was really nice he wouldn't have stole it in the first place. It's like when you hear a story about a skydiver whose chute didn't open completely. They hit the ground, and live. Then they say "I was lucky". Well you were lucky I suppose, but if you were really lucky your chute would have opened correctly in the first place. Although, to his credit, he did do a nice thing in giving back the data because he could have just as easily stuck a fat virus on that thumb drive.

22.10.2010 22:40 #18

core2kid

I'm gonna steal my professors laptop now so I can print out all his future tests and return his data on a flash drive. Maybe the professor will be so happy that he'll reward me.

23.10.2010 00:24 #19

xboxdvl2

if a guys starving and hungry stealing a laptop would seem like a good idea to get some cash to buy food,been there myself.The professors probably rich enough to buy a new laptop anyway.Most the people on here seem rich enough to buy the latest cell phones/ipods/computers/videogames/tvs.Unless you've been in a poor position you have no idea what its like.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

23.10.2010 02:12 #20

YOBUZZB

Quote:if a guys starving and hungry stealing a laptop would seem like a good idea to get some cash to buy food,been there myself.The professors probably rich enough to buy a new laptop anyway.Most the people on here seem rich enough to buy the latest cell phones/ipods/computers/videogames/tvs.Unless you've been in a poor position you have no idea what its like. You've got to be kidding me with that load of bull! Being poor means it ok to steal what doesn't belong to you! What a load of crap! I grew up poor. It made me work hard so I'd no longer be poor! Being poor is not an excuse to steal! Even though the thief sent the professor his data, he should be punished to the letter of the law! Yes, the professor was careless and should have to buy his own replacement if the University provided the original laptop. Because someone is rich or has more than you, shouldn't prompt you to steal! It should inspire you to learn what it took them get there and aspire to be in that position! I am sick of these BS statements and this type of BS thinking! There were/are honest ways to get food. You say you've been there, then you're as bad as the person who stole the professor's laptop!

For those who've never been poor, don't let statements, like the one from xboxdvl2, sway you into feeling sorry for people who are. They don't need pitty! Most poor people just need an opportunity to do better than their circumstances allow. Most are probably wealthier than some of you can imagine anyway.

"In all your getting, get an understanding!"

Dell Dimension DIM4600 Intel P4 CPU 2.66GHz 2.5GB-DDR 160GB-HDD Primary 80GB-HDD Slave Memorex 16x DL -/+RW Burner JLMS DVD-ROM XJ-HD166 WinXP Home Edition SP3

23.10.2010 17:25 #21

xboxdvl2

Originally posted by YOBUZZB: Quote:if a guys starving and hungry stealing a laptop would seem like a good idea to get some cash to buy food,been there myself.The professors probably rich enough to buy a new laptop anyway.Most the people on here seem rich enough to buy the latest cell phones/ipods/computers/videogames/tvs.Unless you've been in a poor position you have no idea what its like. You've got to be kidding me with that load of bull! Being poor means it ok to steal what doesn't belong to you! What a load of crap! I grew up poor. It made me work hard so I'd no longer be poor! Being poor is not an excuse to steal! Even though the thief sent the professor his data, he should be punished to the letter of the law! Yes, the professor was careless and should have to buy his own replacement if the University provided the original laptop. Because someone is rich or has more than you, shouldn't prompt you to steal! It should inspire you to learn what it took them get there and aspire to be in that position! I am sick of these BS statements and this type of BS thinking! There were/are honest ways to get food. You say you've been there, then you're as bad as the person who stole the professor's laptop!

For those who've never been poor, don't let statements, like the one from xboxdvl2, sway you into feeling sorry for people who are. They don't need pitty! Most poor people just need an opportunity to do better than their circumstances allow. Most are probably wealthier than some of you can imagine anyway. 1.I'd like to point out i didnt say it was right to steal i just pointed out it might seem a good idea.
another thing i'd like to say.I had a friend that was homeless and had no money and couldn't find anywhere to live he commited crimes with the intention of getting put in jail.he died of hypothermia in the parklands in 07 while sleeping under a tree.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

24.10.2010 05:39 #22

dab0ne

Originally posted by xboxdvl2: Originally posted by YOBUZZB: Quote:if a guys starving and hungry stealing a laptop would seem like a good idea to get some cash to buy food,been there myself.The professors probably rich enough to buy a new laptop anyway.Most the people on here seem rich enough to buy the latest cell phones/ipods/computers/videogames/tvs.Unless you've been in a poor position you have no idea what its like. You've got to be kidding me with that load of bull! Being poor means it ok to steal what doesn't belong to you! What a load of crap! I grew up poor. It made me work hard so I'd no longer be poor! Being poor is not an excuse to steal! Even though the thief sent the professor his data, he should be punished to the letter of the law! Yes, the professor was careless and should have to buy his own replacement if the University provided the original laptop. Because someone is rich or has more than you, shouldn't prompt you to steal! It should inspire you to learn what it took them get there and aspire to be in that position! I am sick of these BS statements and this type of BS thinking! There were/are honest ways to get food. You say you've been there, then you're as bad as the person who stole the professor's laptop!

For those who've never been poor, don't let statements, like the one from xboxdvl2, sway you into feeling sorry for people who are. They don't need pitty! Most poor people just need an opportunity to do better than their circumstances allow. Most are probably wealthier than some of you can imagine anyway. 1.I'd like to point out i didnt say it was right to steal i just pointed out it might seem a good idea.
another thing i'd like to say.I had a friend that was homeless and had no money and couldn't find anywhere to live he commited crimes with the intention of getting put in jail.he died of hypothermia in the parklands in 07 while sleeping under a tree. Damn... you weren't much of a friend.

24.10.2010 05:56 #23

xboxdvl2

Originally posted by dab0ne: Originally posted by xboxdvl2: Originally posted by YOBUZZB: Quote:if a guys starving and hungry stealing a laptop would seem like a good idea to get some cash to buy food,been there myself.The professors probably rich enough to buy a new laptop anyway.Most the people on here seem rich enough to buy the latest cell phones/ipods/computers/videogames/tvs.Unless you've been in a poor position you have no idea what its like. You've got to be kidding me with that load of bull! Being poor means it ok to steal what doesn't belong to you! What a load of crap! I grew up poor. It made me work hard so I'd no longer be poor! Being poor is not an excuse to steal! Even though the thief sent the professor his data, he should be punished to the letter of the law! Yes, the professor was careless and should have to buy his own replacement if the University provided the original laptop. Because someone is rich or has more than you, shouldn't prompt you to steal! It should inspire you to learn what it took them get there and aspire to be in that position! I am sick of these BS statements and this type of BS thinking! There were/are honest ways to get food. You say you've been there, then you're as bad as the person who stole the professor's laptop!

For those who've never been poor, don't let statements, like the one from xboxdvl2, sway you into feeling sorry for people who are. They don't need pitty! Most poor people just need an opportunity to do better than their circumstances allow. Most are probably wealthier than some of you can imagine anyway. 1.I'd like to point out i didnt say it was right to steal i just pointed out it might seem a good idea.
another thing i'd like to say.I had a friend that was homeless and had no money and couldn't find anywhere to live he commited crimes with the intention of getting put in jail.he died of hypothermia in the parklands in 07 while sleeping under a tree. Damn... you weren't much of a friend. well i kinda lost contact with him in 06 but i was looking for him in 07 when we had a spare room at the place i was staying.didnt have much luck and then on my birthday in 07 was drinking with a m8 and he showed me the write up in the local newpapers.the guy died a week before my birthday.

PS2 with 12 games.
pc-windows 7,intel core quad Q8400,4 Gb ddr2,WD 500 GB hdd,ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics,AOC 22inch LCD moniter.

24.10.2010 06:19 #24

dab0ne

Originally posted by xboxdvl2: Originally posted by dab0ne: Originally posted by xboxdvl2: Originally posted by YOBUZZB: Quote:if a guys starving and hungry stealing a laptop would seem like a good idea to get some cash to buy food,been there myself.The professors probably rich enough to buy a new laptop anyway.Most the people on here seem rich enough to buy the latest cell phones/ipods/computers/videogames/tvs.Unless you've been in a poor position you have no idea what its like. You've got to be kidding me with that load of bull! Being poor means it ok to steal what doesn't belong to you! What a load of crap! I grew up poor. It made me work hard so I'd no longer be poor! Being poor is not an excuse to steal! Even though the thief sent the professor his data, he should be punished to the letter of the law! Yes, the professor was careless and should have to buy his own replacement if the University provided the original laptop. Because someone is rich or has more than you, shouldn't prompt you to steal! It should inspire you to learn what it took them get there and aspire to be in that position! I am sick of these BS statements and this type of BS thinking! There were/are honest ways to get food. You say you've been there, then you're as bad as the person who stole the professor's laptop!

For those who've never been poor, don't let statements, like the one from xboxdvl2, sway you into feeling sorry for people who are. They don't need pitty! Most poor people just need an opportunity to do better than their circumstances allow. Most are probably wealthier than some of you can imagine anyway. 1.I'd like to point out i didnt say it was right to steal i just pointed out it might seem a good idea.
another thing i'd like to say.I had a friend that was homeless and had no money and couldn't find anywhere to live he commited crimes with the intention of getting put in jail.he died of hypothermia in the parklands in 07 while sleeping under a tree. Damn... you weren't much of a friend. well i kinda lost contact with him in 06 but i was looking for him in 07 when we had a spare room at the place i was staying.didnt have much luck and then on my birthday in 07 was drinking with a m8 and he showed me the write up in the local newpapers.the guy died a week before my birthday. That sucks. Now... how about that news article?

24.10.2010 12:29 #25

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