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This Tonkinese Cat Has Stolen Over 150 Items From His Neighbors, And They Still Love Him
Cat sitting among scattered laundry socks on wooden floor, showcasing a laundry-stealing habit in a home setting.
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This Tonkinese Cat Has Stolen Over 150 Items From His Neighbors, And They Still Love Him

Interview With Owner

64

In a quiet Auckland suburb, a sleek Tonkinese cat named Leonardo Da Pinchy has been committing daily acts of petty theft, and the entire neighborhood is in on the joke. From socks and gardening gloves to designer clothing and a 1.5-meter toy snake, Leo’s collection of stolen goods has turned him into a local legend.

What began as a kitten’s obsession with his human dad’s socks quickly escalated into full-blown laundry larceny. Now 16 months old, Leo can haul home up to nine items in a single sunny day. His method? Wait until the washing’s out, strike fast, and vanish over the fence with your underwear.

More info: Instagram

RELATED:

    Meet Leonardo Da Pinchy: 16 months old, soft as silk, and wanted for over 150 counts of theft

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    It started small, just his human dad’s socks, tossed proudly around the lounge at 10 weeks old

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    At 6 months, he was allowed outside. Within days, he began raiding the neighborhood

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Leo’s human, Helen North, told Bored Panda that once he turned 6 months old and was allowed outside, he immediately began hauling home other people’s socks—lots of them! “Over time, he expanded his collection to include a wider range of clothes, especially on weekends when neighbors have their fresh laundry out to dry.

    “On a busy day, he can bring home 3 or 4 items in a row. His biggest haul was 9 items in one single day—it was a beautiful sunny Sunday, and we think everyone had their laundry out. He had a blast!”

    Underwear, hats, gardening gloves, even baby clothes. Leo’s haul now lives in a dedicated laundry basket

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    “Socks were his favorite for quite a while, but now he’s moved on to undies—particularly men’s boxer shorts. He also likes merino items like pants, hoodies, baby clothes, and more.

    “Surprisingly, he has a real thing for gardening gloves—he’s brought home dozens of them. Neighbors have even spotted him hiding in gardens, waiting for people to remove their gloves!”

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    “He’s actually locked in at night, from dusk to 7 am, to stop him from roaming or fighting with other cats. So all his stealing happens during daylight hours. Luckily, our neighbors love him and think he’s quite the character.”

    His human, Helen, created a neighborhood WhatsApp group to return the loot. It’s part true crime, part treasure hunt

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    He once stole a brand new $300 merino jersey from inside a neighbor’s house

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Helen North shared that whenever Leonardo brings something home, he just drops his “treasures” on the floor—no fanfare, no pride. “He usually goes straight back out to find more! He seems to love the thrill of the ‘steal,’ so he’s always chasing that feeling.”

    After a full day of hunting boxer shorts, Leo recharges like any respectable thief—in a sunbeam

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    According to Helen, when he’s not causing mischief, Leonardo’s favorite thing is curling up on their laps and purring like a tractor. “He’s extremely affectionate and always wants to be involved in whatever we’re doing. Like most cats, he loves sleeping in the sun—especially after a big day of hunting undies!”

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Despite his crimes, the neighborhood loves him. Let’s be honest—he’s the most entertaining neighbor they’ve got

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

    He might steal your gloves, but he’ll also steal your heart

    Image credits: mr_leonardo_da_pinchy

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    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

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    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

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    Hidrėlėy

    Hidrėlėy

    Author, Approved Contributor

    I am a Brazilian digital artist who loves transforming imagination into hyper-real visuals. I work with artificial intelligence and image editing to create what I always wondered as a child: how would our favorite characters look in real life? Over time, many of my artworks have gone viral and were featured in international publications. I have recreated realistic versions of cartoon characters such as Disney and The Simpsons, imagined how celebrities who died young would look today, and even gave modern faces to historical figures like Mona Lisa or Shakespeare. Beyond entertainment, I created Para Não Esquecer, a social project that revisits memorable criminal cases in Brazil. My goal is to honor victims, keep memory alive and remind society that justice and empathy matter. I also write for Bored Panda, where I create articles featuring artists, photographers, rescue stories and feel-good moments from around the world. My work aims to highlight creativity, kindness and emotional storytelling. In everything I do, my purpose is the same: to touch hearts, evoke emotion and make people feel something real.

    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Writer, Community member

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    Hi there! I'm Gabrielė. Professionally, I'm the senior community manager over at Bored Panda, helping people share their awesome work and connecting artists with a worldwide audience.Beyond work, you'll catch me traveling, listening to vinyl and diving into movies, art exhibitions, and concerts. I'm a culture buff at heart, always eager to explore and embrace the richness of the human experience.

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    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Gabrielė Malukaitė

    Writer, Community member

    Hi there! I'm Gabrielė. Professionally, I'm the senior community manager over at Bored Panda, helping people share their awesome work and connecting artists with a worldwide audience.Beyond work, you'll catch me traveling, listening to vinyl and diving into movies, art exhibitions, and concerts. I'm a culture buff at heart, always eager to explore and embrace the richness of the human experience.

    What do you think ?
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This cat is SOOOOOOO gorgeous!

    Vinnie
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I burst out laughing after one of my cats took a bunch of pullovers out of my drawer and neatly laid them out on the floor. Sadly, I fired her as my valet. She did keep her job as a mouse hunter. 😸

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful boy, also very smart, "hunting" things that don't fight back!

    Load More Comments
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This cat is SOOOOOOO gorgeous!

    Vinnie
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I burst out laughing after one of my cats took a bunch of pullovers out of my drawer and neatly laid them out on the floor. Sadly, I fired her as my valet. She did keep her job as a mouse hunter. 😸

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful boy, also very smart, "hunting" things that don't fight back!

    Load More Comments
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