In the peaceful beachside suburb of Mairangi Bay, Auckland, a notorious feline named Leo, affectionately dubbed “Leonardo da Pinchy,” has become somewhat of a local celebrity thanks to his brazen thievery. At just 15 months old, Leo has developed a penchant for pilfering laundry from clotheslines and bedrooms, much to the embarrassment of his owners, Helen North and her family.
Leo’s thefts aren’t trivial; his loot includes lavish items such as silk boxer shorts, thick men’s socks—often still attached to clothespins—and even a brand-new $NZ300 cashmere sweater, prompting a particularly distressing moment for North when her daughter rang to report Leo’s latest acquisition. Despite its appeal, she couldn’t keep the sweater.
To return the stolen goods to their rightful owners, North turned to a local WhatsApp group, frequently posting messages like, “Are these your undies?” However, the thefts accumulated, resulting in an overflow of items, including piles of socks, loads of underwear, and even a bizarre five-foot stuffed snake. On one remarkable day, Leo brought home enough laundry to assemble an entire outfit, combining everything from baby clothes to menswear.
In an effort to return unclaimed items, North began posting photos of Leo’s hauls on a local Facebook page, along with her apologies. This outreach successfully reunited many residents with their missing belongings, including a boy who recognised his sports jersey by the name on the back and a woman who reclaimed her colourful underpants.
Surprisingly, instead of facing ire from neighbours, North found that most regarded Leo with amusement, with some even expressing disappointment that their own items hadn’t been stolen yet. Despite Leo’s notoriety, North has tried various measures to rein in his laundry-stealing antics, from keeping him indoors to leaving out clothes for him to nab, all to no avail. She emphasised that he seems to crave items he shouldn’t have, dismissing the idea that he simply needs a playmate for relief from his nefarious quests.
Leo’s mischievous behaviour first emerged when he was allowed outdoors a year ago, but North holds out hope that this is merely a phase. She wishes for the day when she won’t have to manage the ‘admin’ of returning stolen laundry—the thought of years of this mischief weighs heavily on her. For now, though, Leonardo da Pinchy roams the streets of Mairangi Bay, living his flamboyant life of crime.