Derbyshire moggy unmasked as real life cat burglar

But the pilfering puss only has eyes for one prize – swiping gardening gloves and marigolds which he takes home to embarrassed owner Vikki Maddocks.Over a 12-month crime spree, Elmo has stolen 14 pairs of gloves and a peg bag from residents living in Belper.

Vikki, 50, is now trying to reunite gloves with their rightful owners by posting pictures of them on a local Facebook group.

The NHS carer said: “Elmo just randomly goes off on his own and brings one of them in and then a few days later he will probably bring the next one back.

“We just kept finding these gloves all over the garden and we have actually caught him bringing them in now too.

“He's been doing it for over a year. He comes in and he starts yelling really loudly and really proud of himself and then just drops to your feet and looks at you.

“When he comes back he looks really pleased with himself. I posted the picture on a local Facebook page and people have now spotted their gloves.

“Most people have said he can keep them for his collection.

“He has 14 that we know of and he has probably had more in the past.

“I think some of his old ones have probably gone in the shed now, but some of them we are using ourselves.”

The married mum-of-two had the pesky feline since he was a kitten and also owns four other cats.

She added: “This is definitely his weirdest character trait.

“He doesn't like being cuddled that much and is independent. He won't come and sit on your knee or anything like that.

“Elmo brought a peg bag in as well now. We have had him since he was a kitten.

“We have got five cats in total and they are quite normal. Its only Elmo that brings the gloves in.

“I've lost count of the likes and comments I saw on Facebook. I hope it gives people a smile in these times.”