THE CAT BURGLAR; Ziggy steals jumpers, Y-fronts and burgers

IN the dead of night he steals away from home and heads for the bright lights of the city.

Then as day breaks, he reappears just as silently as he left with his haul...which can include anything from a chenille cardigan to a shirt or even a pair of Y-fronts.

His name is Ziggy and he's a cat burglar. He also happens to be a cat.

"At first, Ziggy would bring home small things like elastic bands and pieces of paper," said owner Helen Lucarelli. "But he has become more and more ambitious.

"Now he is stealing things so big he has trouble getting them through the cat-flap. They are much bigger and heavier than him.

"We've had live frogs, disgusting Y-fronts, unopened burgers and even a police incident tape.

"But clothes are a firm favourite. He has brought us plenty of clean washing. Most ends up in charity shop windows, but there was one chenille cardigan that was far too nice to give away. Now it's a favourite with a friend of mine."

Helen, 29, added: "We live more than two miles from the centre of Newcastle, yet he brings home napkins from restaurants and surgical gloves from the city hospital. He must roam for miles every night."

Ziggy has also branched out into the refuse collection business. Helen and husband Chris are regularly woken up by Ziggy depositing all of the street's rubbish on their living room carpet.

"It's great for everyone else on our road but I have to sweep up a rubbish tip every morning," moaned Helen.

Ziggy was one of five cats rescued by Helen and her husband Chris through the Cat Protection League, but fortunately he is the only one with a criminal streak.

"The rest of our cats are quiet and well behaved. They certainly don't help themselves to other people's underwear.

"But it's Ziggy who is everyone's favourite because he is so cheeky."

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