Oh, the effrontery!

The British science fiction writer, H.G. Wells, once stole another man's hat.  The man had written his name and address on the brim, perhaps to decrease the odds of it being stolen.

Wells was undeterred.  He stole the hat, then wrote a note to its owner:  “I stole your hat. I shall keep your hat. Whenever I look inside it I shall think of you. I take off your hat to you!”