Thieves have returned stolen computer equipment to their rightful owners after realising that they had burgled a charity.

The burglars struck at the offices of the Sexual Assault Services Centre in San Bernardino County, southern California, taking six computers and a laptop.

The charity's director Candy Stallings was called by her alarm provider about unusual movements in the offices, and arrived to find the office had been ransacked and computer equipment was gone.

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She told CBS Los Angeles: "Our office is really secure. We have the best locks but they still managed to find a way in."

Later on police called her to say the thieves had returned all of the stolen items.

She said: "All my stuff was in front of the door. There was a shopping cart, and there were the PCs that were taken and the laptop; everything was there."

Inside the laptop there was a hand-written note, which read: "We had no idea what we were takeing (sic). Here your (sic) stuff back. We hope that you guys can continue to make a difference in peoples (sic) live. God bless."

"We were all pretty shocked," said Ms Stallings. "You've got to be kidding me. I was in disbelief. I got chills. I got very emotional."

San Bernardino Police Lt Paul Williams said: "This is the first time in my career I have seen the return of stolen items.

"It appears the guilt of taking the property caused the return of the items."