A couple from a historic neighborhood near downtown Des Moines is trying to be positive about the theft of flowers from his 1880s-era home. The reason - a note left by a courteous thief thanking the owner of the flowers.

Jason Jasnos told the to Des Moines Register that he found the note in his garden Sunday, a day after he caught two women clutching a bunch of posies picked from his garden.

The note was written on a white piece of paper with a bright pink marker that said: "Thank you for the flowers. Many others will enjoy them," undersigned by "The flower bandit."

"We've heard some stories of bizarre plant thefts," said Stephanie Bruner, vice president of the neighborhood association, who said she has had tulips taken from her yard.

Jasnos said he asked around and found that other neighbors also have had flowers and plants stolen from their yards and porches.

Jasnos' wife, Sherry, tried to be positive about the theft. "I'm assuming she's going to brighten somebody's day," she said.