Cat Burglar Is ... Actual Cat

A prolific cat burglar has stolen precious possessions from homes near San Francisco. But police are staying off the case—the burglar really is a cat. Dusty, a 5-year-old feline from San Mateo, has taken hundreds of items during his nearly nightly heists. Dusty's owner tells the San Francisco Chronicle he has pilfered gloves, towels, Crocs, grocery bags, and more since she adopted him from the Humane Society four years ago—more than 600 items total.

His owner, who started keeping a record of his haul, says he tends to snag three or four items a night; his record is 11 within 24 hours. Dusty has a special love for swimsuits. A neighbor says he stole her bikini—on two separate trips. Experts say Dusty's predatory instincts have gone astray, leaving him hunting for people's stuff. The cat's thieving has made him a minor celebrity; he has appeared on Letterman and Animal Planet. (More California stories.)