WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) – In the beachside neighborhood of Mairangi Bay, Auckland, a notorious cat named Leo has gained notoriety for his unusual hobby: stealing laundry. This 15-month-old feline has become a local celebrity, earning the playful nickname Leonardo da Pinchy due to his penchant for pilfering items such as silk boxer shorts, thick men's work socks complete with clothespins, and even a brand-new cashmere sweater valued at 300 New Zealand dollars (approximately $181).

Helen North, Leo's owner, recounted one particularly embarrassing incident when her daughter called her at work, distraught over the cashmere sweater. “It’s bad, it’s bad, this is the worst thing he’s brought in, it’s really bad,” her daughter said. Despite her fleeting desire to keep the luxurious item, North ultimately decided it should be returned to its original owner. She turned to a local WhatsApp group to announce his haul, typically asking, “Are these your undies?”

As the days passed, the pile of stolen goods grew, accumulating a bizarre mix of socks, underwear, and even a five-foot-long stuffed snake. On one occasion, Leo returned with nine items in a single day, including a jersey he’d snagged before local shops had even opened. North humorously noted, “He brought in a jersey this morning at 10 past 8.”

Facing numerous unclaimed items, North broadened her outreach. She posted photos of Leo’s captures on a neighborhood Facebook page, coupled with an apology and her home address. Among those who came forward to reclaim their belongings was a woman who recognized her pink and purple underwear and a young boy who was thrilled to recover his missing sports jersey, identifiable thanks to his name printed on the back.

To North’s surprise, the community reaction was largely positive. Rather than facing backlash, she found that most neighbors viewed Leo’s antics with amusement. “All of our neighbors think he’s amazing,” North shared, noting that some residents were envious that their items hadn't been taken. However, one of Leo's victims, who is allergic to cats, now opts to dry her laundry indoors to prevent further “thefts.”

Despite the lighthearted nature of Leo's escapades, North has made several attempts to curb her cat’s laundry obsession. She has tried keeping him indoors and even provided him with clothes at home to steal instead, but to no avail. “He only wants stuff that he shouldn’t have,” she remarked, dismissing the suggestion of acquiring another cat as a playmate, fearing that Leo might teach his potential companion to partake in his laundry crimes.

Leo’s life as a laundry thief appears to have started after he was first allowed outdoors approximately a year ago. North, however, remains hopeful that this phase will pass quickly. “I hope he grows out of it because I don’t want to do this for like, 15 years,” she said, lamenting the administrative burden of returning all the stolen items. As it stands, on the bustling streets of Mairangi Bay, Leonardo da Pinchy continues his amusing crime spree, much to the delight of the neighborhood.