Teens Steal Motorbike, Then Return It With An Apology Note And A Full Tank Of Gas

Seeing a social media post made a group of thieving teens learn their lesson and do the right thing

If there’s one thing teenagers are known for, it might just be their propensity for doing really dumb shit.

The teens who stole a Yamaha motorbike from some kids in their apartment complex are no exception, but they should get at least a little recognition for learning from their mistake and, ultimately, doing the right thing.

Mel Flesher put a call out on Facebook for help after her boyfriends’ kids’ yellow motorbike went missing from where they had locked it up at their complex. She wrote that she and her boyfriend had worked to fix the bike up so they could teach the kids how to ride it.

“Some loser stole my boyfriends kids 72 Yamaha 80 cc bike from our complex on 3rd and Ryan,” she wrote. “We think it went missing early this morning. Broke the lock we had on it. We recently got this bike and fixed it up so they could learn how to ride. It’s old but runs perfectly for the kids. Please keep you eyes out for it. Thanks.”

What Flesher probably didn’t expect was that the kids who stole the bike would see her post.

Only a day after asking the internet for help locating the stolen bike, Flesher posted an update: The bike had been returned. But that’s not all — it was returned with a fresh oil change, a full tank of gas and a note of apology from the teens who took it.

“Was on my way to get some breakfast just now leaving the complex and came across this,” she wrote. “The kids bike back where it was along with a awesome note, a new lock, keys, full tank of gas and oil topped up! We are very happy and the kids will be EXTREMELY happy to hear the news! Thank you for doing the right thing!!! You sound like good kids!! We forgive you and hope this taught you a lesson. We will defiantly keep the keys with us you are very right about that! We drove around for hours last night talking to all kinds of people about the bike. Thank you for showing kindness and doing the right thing! Thank you Mission neighbours and our friends for sharing and helping us get the kids bike back!!!”

One of the photos she posted was of the kids’ letter, which read, “Well we should start by saying sorry for stealing your son’s bike. Although not an excuse, me and my friend figured it would belong to some teenager who had outgrown it. When we read your Facebook post we immediately knew we had to take it back to him. We’ve bought him a new, more secure lock as the previous one was already broken. The keys are in with the bike key. For the future, take the key inside with you. I know we aren’t really in a place to give advice, but the heartbreak your son must have felt upon discovering his bike missing should never be relived. We have filled the tank and topped up the oil for him. Again, we really are sorry for putting him through this. We wish you two the best in his journeys riding, and we hope you both can find it in your hearts to forgive us. Ride on, little man. You deserve it!”

The letter was signed, “Regretful teenagers who learned their lesson via restorative justice.”

Flesher still doesn’t know who might have taken the bike.

“I am very curious but we honestly have no idea who did it,” she told Scary Mommy. But, she added, she was pleasantly surprised at the positive outcome for her boyfriend’s kids.

“When I posted it on the group that it was missing I felt like it would be a really long shot of us finding it,” she said. “I definitely didn’t think it would be returned! I cried a little when I read the note.”

Sure, stealing the bike in the first place wasn’t right. But kudos to those kids for realizing their mistake, owning it and coming up with a great way to atone for it.