Fred McFeely Rogers was an American educator, Presbyterian minister, songwriter, author and television host. Rogers was most famous for creating and hosting Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (1968–2001), which featured his gentle, soft-spoken personality and directness to his audiences.

Children aren’t the only ones with a soft spot for Mr. Rogers. One day his car, a plain old Chevrolet Impala, was stolen from the street near the TV station where he worked.

Mr. Rogers filed a police report and story was published in every media outlet, (newspaper, radio, tv,) around town

Fred Rogers

When the thief realized whose car it was he returned it within 48 hours after he stole it. The car was parked at the same place where it was stolen. All that was missing was a director’s chair with Mister Rogers’ name on it.

Thief left an apology message on the dashboard, saying “If we’d known it was yours, we never would have taken it.”

Reference:

Wall Street Journal (Mar 2, 1990. pg. A1)