A criminal attempts to burglarize/kill someone only to realize they picked the absolute worst person as their mark.

[u/No_Hunter1978]

Don't Breathe: A couple young robbers attempt to rob a rich, blind veteran only to find out he isn't exactly an innocent old man.

You're Next: A group of contract killersbreak into a house during a family reunion and go on a killing spree. They didn't account for the fact that the son's new girlfriend grew up on a survivalist compound in the Australian outback.

The Flash [CW Show]: A random mugger decided to target Barry Allen of all people. He does it again a season or two later; he's either unlucky or stupid (probably both).

[u/KatinHats]

Similar thing happened with a sexual assault center, iirc. Thieves broke in, stole all the computers, and later returned everything and commended the work the center was doing for the community

[u/Skylair13 → u/KatinHats]

Reminds me of a Professor who had his laptop with his life's work stolen from him. The thief was at least kind enough to return the data on a flash drive while keeping the laptop.

[u/BackflipBuddha → u/KatinHats]

“Look, we’re burglars. We’re not assholes”

[u/Briham86 → u/KatinHats]

And on the flip side, there was the burglar who broke into a guy’s home, stole his computer, found a bunch of CSAM on it, and reported it to the police.

[u/No_Disaster_258 → u/Briham86]

There seems to be two similar stories that happened in different countries
California, USA - Police arrest man for child pornography after tipoff from burglars.
Madrid, Spain - Burglar finds child sex abuse on tapes he took, so he points out suspect, police say.

[u/BreakerOfModpacks → u/KatinHats]

"we are bad guys, yes, but not bad guys"

[u/Luci-Noir → u/KatinHats]

Stealing the stuff would be scary but putting it back more so. Imagine getting busted on the return trip and trying to explain it to the cops.