noun
ADJECTIVE
▪ would-be
▪
The alarm is usually sufficient to deter a would-be ~.
▪ common , petty
▪ professional
▪ master
▪ opportunist , sneak (both BrE )
▪ convicted , suspected
▪ car , identity , jewel , etc.
… OF THIEVES
▪ gang
VERB + THIEF
▪ catch
THIEF + VERB
▪ snatch sth ( esp. BrE ), steal sth , take sth
▪
A ~ snatched her handbag containing her wages.
▪ escape with sth ( esp. BrE ), get away with sth , make off with sth
▪ break in , break into sth
▪ strike ( esp. BrE )
▪
The ~ struck while the family were out.