Extra, extra, read all about it! Thief repays newspaper

LAKELAND, Fla. - Some 54 years after stealing several newspaper racks, a U.S. Navy veteran has sent a letter of apology-- and a check for $200 -- to The Ledger of Lakeland, Fla.

Bernard Schermerhorn says he's followed the rules for most of his 73 years, but caved to peer pressure as a teenager and went along with a friend's scheme to steal several racks from The Ledger.

In a Sept. 30 letter to the paper, Schermerhorn said the pair took a handful of change and then dumped the racks.

Schermerhorn, who lives in Le Mesa, California, told the newspaper that he just got to thinking about the prank and decided, "Hey, send them the money. It's just not right to not pay it back."

He said the $200 would more than cover the damage and theft of about $10 back in the 1960's.

Publisher Kevin Drake says he's sending Schermerhorn a thank-you letter and will donate the money to a children's charity in Lakeland.