We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Criminal

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Difference Between a Thief and a Cat Burglar?

By Alan Rankin
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 19,813
Share

There are various kinds of thieves, but only one meets the somewhat romantic image of the cat burglar. A thief is a person who steals anything; this can include pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and even some cyber criminals, as well as robbers and burglars. In common English usage and according to various legal definitions, a robber steals directly from a person or establishment, usually through force or the threat of violence. While a robber confronts his victims, a burglar tries to avoid them, preferring to take property when the owners are absent. Cat burglars take this to the extreme, using athletic prowess and advanced housebreaking skills to avoid detection.

The term cat burglar refers to how real cats, large and small, silently stalk their prey. Like much of the popular imagery surrounding cat burglars, the name has a dramatic and even romantic feel to it. In fact, cat burglars are far more widespread in popular media than they are in the real world. Cat burglars do exist, however. In the 19th century, British criminal Charles Peace gained fame as the king of the cat burglars.

Any burglar will break into a property and steal things, which are both crimes. What distinguishes cat burglars is method, and this is largely a popular distinction, not a legal one. While most burglars will seek the simplest, quickest way in and out, cat burglars will try to avoid detection by subterfuge. The classic cat burglar technique is to attempt entry above the ground level of a building, where windows and doors may not be secured. An alternative name for a burglar who practices this technique is second-story man.

To this end, cat burglars must be in prime physical shape, with climbing skills and possibly even gymnastics training. This type of thief must also have the typical burglar’s skill at breaking into locked buildings. The romantic image of the cat burglar is of a thief so adept at this trait that the means of entry cannot be detected even after the crime is committed. Like much of the mythology surrounding cat burglars, this is far more common in stories than it is in real life.

The cat burglar has been a staple of popular fiction for decades, sometimes as a villain but often as an anti-hero. Cary Grant’s character in the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film To Catch a Thief is a classic example, a reformed thief framed for new crimes by another cat burglar. Other films featuring this kind of thief include 1963’s The Pink Panther and 1999’s Entrapment. A.J. Raffles, a thief created by British author E.W. Hornung, appeared in a popular series of stories and films in the early 20th century. Perhaps the most famous fictional cat burglar is the Catwoman, an adversary of comic book character Batman, who adopts a cat motif to go along with her crimes.

Share
MyLawQuestions is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By mrwormy — On Nov 05, 2014

I've always believed that a true cat burglar only bothers with upscale targets. A common thief will break into any home or business that's poorly defended, but a cat burglar wants to make sure his criminal efforts will be rewarded. A good cat burglar knows how to bypass a home security system, for one thing. A common thief may get caught within minutes because he couldn't turn off the alarm system.

The cat burglar that struck my parent's gated community actually knew their work and entertainment schedules. He somehow knew my parents were going to a benefit concert one night, so he took his time and ransacked every room in their house before moving onto another target. The police searched a computer found in his apartment and it had notes on just about every house in that neighborhood. The man had a day job as an exterminator, so he could get inside the houses and inspect all the rooms without raising suspicion.

By RocketLanch8 — On Nov 05, 2014

It seems to me that a lot of thieves are opportunists. Once they manage to break inside someone's home, they'll take whatever they can find of any value and leave before the police or homeowner arrive. A cat burglar, on the other hand, has probably cased the house already and knows exactly what is worth stealing. He doesn't waste time trying to get a big screen television out the back door or stuff his pockets with trinkets. He's after the jewelry boxes and hidden safes containing the really valuable items.

Share
https://www.mylawquestions.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-thief-and-a-cat-burglar.htm
Copy this link
MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.