' U sound hot I wish I nva done that to u ( but ) to late ' ( sic ) . That 's the text message a remorseful New Zealand criminal sent to a University of Otago student after he broke into her car . And it was just the beginning of remarkable banter which culminated in the apologetic thief returning a swag of stolen goods - including handbags and identity cards - to Kate McDonald , 20 , and her four friends . Dunedin residents Ms McDonald , Julia Kerr , Kate Randhawa , Briar Middleton and Olivia Van Diepen visited Christchurch for a mutual friend 's 21st birthday on March 14 . Pictured ( L to R ) : Julia Kerr , Kate McDonald , Olivia van Diepen , Briar Middleton , Kate Randhawa , all age 20 , were attending a mutual friend 's 21st birthday in Christchurch when Ms McDonald 's car was robbed . The beginning : Kate McDonald decided to open up her conversation by taking a different tack - 'Hope the tampons and condoms come in handy ' . As the conversation continued , the crook began to reconsider . ' U sound hot i wish i neva dne tht to u nw bt to late ' 'Next tym take ya bags with ya ' : The criminal warned the girls not to leave their handbags unattended in a vehicle on future occasions . The next day the 'very hungover ' students went sightseeing in town , leaving their handbags in plain sight inside Ms McDonald 's car . When they returned they discovered the car 's locks had been picked and their possessions taken . They were preparing to make a police report when they realised Ms Kerr 's Nokia N100 was among the stolen goods . 'So I 'm like , `` oh , why do n't we try texting them ? '' Nothing will probably happen , ' Ms McDonald said . Ms McDonald drafted a series of text messages aimed at the criminal . She did not rail over her stolen possessions , instead taking a different tack - telling the crook she hoped he enjoyed his new condoms and tampons . To her surprise , the robber replied . ' ( He was ) so funny . We had a good convo , ' Ms McDonald told Daily Mail Australia . 'We became friends and ( he ) became quite remorseful of the fact ( he 'd ) taken all our stuff . 'il add u on fb one day lol ' : After returning ( most ) of the girls ' items , the crook pledged to add Ms McDonald on Facebook . She told Daily Mail Australia she hopes he comes forward . The students used text messages to sweet talk the thief and get back their stolen mobile phone and cards . Following a phone conversation , the sorry criminal informed the women he would leave their items at a look out near Spencer Beach Holiday Park in Christchurch . They were overjoyed to find everything there hours late , with the exception of some of their money and Julia 's stolen phone . ' I guess once you put a face on the person you 've stolen off it 's hard to imagine that they 're not hurt from what you 've done , ' Ms McDonald said . 'Most people would n't be able to contact the people who took their stuff . 'We just did n't imagine he would actually reply ' . The thief has not made contact since , despite promising to add them on Facebook in the future . ' I hope the guy sees all this and comes forward so we can thank him , ' Ms McDonald said . 'And get him to pay for my munted car lock - ha ! ' .
A group of university students reclaim their possessions after text message banter with thief . Kate McDonald , Julia Kerr , Kate Randhawa , Briar Middleton and Olivia Van Diepen , all age 20 , visited Christchurch for a friend 's party . They went to sight-see in town but returned to find Ms McDonald 's car had been broken into . four handbags , identity cards , passports , wallets and Ms Kerr 's mobile had been stolen . So Ms McDonald texted the criminal . Soon afterwards , the thief expressed regret : ' U sound hot I wish I nva done that but to late ( sic ) '