Thief Critter, a Tonkinese Cat, Swiped Over 150 Items From Nearby Residents, Yet Remains Adored
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In the quiet suburbs of Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand, a 15-16 month old Tonkinese cat named Leonardo da Pinchy has become an unlikely local legend[1][4]. Known for his daily acts of petty theft, this feline burglar has amassed a collection of over 150 stolen items[1][2][3].
Leo's criminal career began with his obsession with his human dad's socks[5]. From there, his taste in loot expanded to include a wide range of neighbours' clothes and household items[1][2][3][4]. His haul now includes underwear, socks (often with clothespins still attached), cashmere sweaters worth over NZ$300 (~$181 USD), stuffed toys (including a 5-foot-long stuffed snake he has stolen twice), gardening gloves, sports bras, rugby socks, an All Blacks jersey, hats, shorts, and more[1][2][3][4].
Sundays are Leonardo's favourite days for theft due to the abundance of clotheslines with accessible laundry[2][3]. However, his methods remain consistent: wait until the washing is out, strike fast, and vanish over the fence with the stolen items[5].
Helen North, Leonardo's human, has taken to posting photos of the stolen goods to neighbourhood WhatsApp and Facebook groups for neighbours to reclaim their belongings[1][2][3]. This digital treasure hunt has turned the neighbourhood WhatsApp group into part true crime and part treasure hunt[6].
When he's not causing mischief, Leonardo enjoys recharging like any respectable thief-in a sunbeam after a full day of hunting[7]. He also has a soft spot, curling up on his human's laps and purring like a tractor[8].
Despite his crimes, Leonardo remains beloved by his community and family, though a persistent headache for his owner[1][4]. His infamous collection of stolen goods now lives in a dedicated laundry basket[9][10].
Leonardo da Pinchy: a name that strikes fear into the hearts of laundry-hanging neighbours, but a heartwarming tale of a neighbourhood cat who has stolen more than just your gloves- he's stolen your heart[11].
References:
- Stuff.co.nz
- Newshub
- The New Zealand Herald
- The Guardian
- CNN
- The Spinoff
- The New Zealand Herald
- Stuff.co.nz
- The New Zealand Herald
- The Spinoff
- The New Zealand Herald
- In the suburbs of Mairangi Bay, it seems that Leonardo da Pinchy's lifestyle extends beyond his daily antics of petty theft to include a taste for entertainment, as the neighborhood WhatsApp group has turned into a part true crime and part treasure hunt.
- Despite the trouble he may cause with his love for stealing clothes and household items, it's clear that Leonardo da Pinchy's entertaining behavior has endeared him to his community, making him more than just a pet, but a beloved local celebrity.
