Woman who accidentally stole car leaves heartfelt apology note

Erin Hatzi posted CCTV footage of her car being taken from her driveway. It was returned the next day with a note.

An accidental thief left a remorseful note and some petrol money after mistakenly stealing a woman's car.

Oregon resident Erin Hatzi appealed on Facebook after her red Subaru Impreza was seemingly stolen in Portland.

Events took a bizarre turn when the car was returned with a note that explained how the mix-up occurred.

"Hello, so sorry I stole your car," it said. "I sent my friend with my key to pick up my red Subaru at 7802 SE Woodstock and she came back with your car.

"I did not see the car until this morning and I said, 'that is not my car.' There is some cash for gas and I more than apologise for the shock and upset this must have caused you."

She added: "Note: police confirm that older Subaru keys are sometimes interchangeable."

The woman also left her name and number, concluding: "So sorry for this mistake."

"It's insane," Hatzi told KGW. "It's like a bad sitcom that nobody would ever buy the story because it's stupid and makes no sense. But it happened."