FLORIDA BONITA TEENS ADMIT TAKING 19 COMPUTERS The News-Press: Bonita Springs

Two Bonita Springs teenagers have turned themselves in after stealing 19 computers from an organization that tutors children, the director said.

They returned more than half of the laptops.

"We prayed that they would be returned, but we also prayed for the people who took them, that their hearts would be changed," said Susan Ritter, a director at Super Kids Club in the Rosemary Park neighborhood.

The teenagers, Omar Gonzalez, 16, and Raphael Aguayo, 15, who live in Rosemary Park, allegedly broke into the old community hall building on Vagabond Way between Jan. 5 and 7.

The thieves stole 19 Hewlett-Packard computers and a server, a value of nearly $33,000.

On Monday, the Lee County Sheriff's Office reported that the teens turned themselves in and returned 14 computers. They sold some of them for $50 to $200 each.

The teens, arrested and released Monday, were each charged with one count of burglary, one count of larceny and one count of dealing in stolen property.

"I consider this an answer to our prayers," said Ellen Nichols, who founded New Horizons of Southwest Florida, the nonprofit that runs the kid's club in Bonita and a similar one in Golden Gate.

"The suspects helped get the computers back," Nichols said. "They went to the people they had sold them to and got them.

"They apologized to me. They were remorseful.

"Nichols had ordered at least a dozen new computers to replace the stolen ones. She said she plans to use the new computers for a new tutoring center in North Naples or one in Bonita.

After the burglary, several donations were received. Naples Contemporary Christian singer Jona has planned a benefit concert March 10 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs.

The tutoring center, which depends on private donations and volunteers, tutors about 60 children in English and math.

Without the computers, the learning had become "boring," said 9-year-old Patricia Lezama.

"We've set up other activities for them, they're good activities, but they don't take the place of the computers," Ritter said.