— A thief who broke into a Fayetteville youth athletic center and hauled away thousands of dollars in property left behind an apology note praising the center's work, authorities said.

Cumberland County sheriff's investigators are looking for the thief or thieves who broke into the back door of the 360 Elite Baseball Academy during the late evening hours of Jan. 16. Three television sets, a computer, baseball uniforms, batting gloves, sports team necklaces and candy were taken in the heist.

But someone left behind a note that read: "Sorry about the mess and the drywall damage. I think what you are doing here is a good thing."

The academy, at 3545 Gillespie St., offers training for teams and individuals in baseball and softball.

"The audacity of leaving me a letter like this just infuriates me," 360 Elite co-owner Glenn Jernigan said Tuesday. "If (we're) doing such a great thing, don't take my kid's stuff."

Jernigan said it appeared to him that whoever broke in used a crow bar to get inside and by the tire marks, backed a vehicle up to the back door.

Anyone with information about the robbery should call the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office at 910-323-1500.