Thief

About

The word "thief" derives from Old English þeofð and refers to a person who engages in theft. Theft is the act of taking another person's property or services without permission or consent, with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it. The term theft serves as a synonym or informal shorthand for various crimes against property, including larceny, robbery, embezzlement, extortion, blackmail, and receiving stolen property. The legal definition of theft varies by jurisdiction. In some places, theft is considered synonymous with larceny, while in others it is defined more narrowly. Theft is recognized as a statutory offense in California, Canada, England and Wales, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and the Australian states of South Australia and Victoria. The plural form of thief is thieves.