A person who takes something that does not belong to him is a thief, which isn't the case when the object isn't owned by anyone. There are thieves all over the world, and different profiles exist: minor ones, counterfeiters, plagiarists, and those who get into houses to rob jewelry and other valuables. Some are real professionals and know how not to leave any clue or print. Those ones use gloves and might carry an arm as a knife or a gun.

To stay out of the way of thieves, you'd better close your windows and lock your door and not leave any valuables in sight at your place. Whereas in the street, you want to be careful about your handbag and not leaving it on the floor for anyone could get it and run away.

Many video games feature thieves and criminals. The Mafia has been the subject of many games and movies and still impresses people. In some video games, you will be a thief who tries to rob as much as he can without being cut by the police or the houses' owners into which you've snuck in. In some others, you'll embody a honest person who tries to defend his house from robbers.

In thief games, you need to be smart and practical to get hold of valuables without being seen or cut by people around or adversaries. In certain games, you may have to put yourself in a police chase to escape from the police or -if you are the victim- try to run after the thief as to stop him.