Burglar

A Sims 3 Burglar

A burglar is a Sim (an NPC in The Sims,The Sims 2 and The Sims 3), who will sneak onto a lot when all Sims are sleeping, or off the lot for some reason, most often during the night, and attempt to steal items from the household. The burglar in The Sims was male, and known only as "Some Sneaky Sim". In The Sims 2 or The Sims 3, burglars can be either male or female. Burglars can steal possessions of any size, and will often steal the most valuable items on the lot. Burglars can be arrested by the police if they are summoned quickly enough - the only way to ensure that the police are called in time is to install burglar alarms. If the lot doesn't have an alarm, Sims can call the police, but the police may not arrive in time to stop the burglar from escaping with the Sim's possessions, so it's always a good idea to buy alarms as soon as possible. In all games, it is impossible to enter Build Mode or Buy Mode after a burglar enters the lot. It is important that players properly secure the lot before a burglar arrives.

The Sims 2

In The Sims 2 some Sims, particularly Fortune Sims, often have "getting something stolen" as a fear. If someone in the household encounters the Burglar, they will often react with fright. When/if the police arrive, the officer will attempt to apprehend the burglar by fighting him/her; if successful, the burglar will surrender, but if the officer is defeated the burglar will escape. With The Sims 2: Open for Business, Sims with the Robot Crafting Station can craft SentryBots, which are designed to patrol a house and electrocute (stunning, not killing) any burglars that may enter until the police can arrive. When a burglar comes onto a lot, all Sims on the lot will have the "Burglar!" memory, even if the burglar is captured.

Something that is useful to have in mind is that, on rare occasions, the player can immediately go to buy mode or build mode if the burglar has just entered the lot and the game has not picked up on it. This can be very helpful if it can be managed, but it is not something that should be counted on.

NPC burglars may appear on community lots, and in The Sims 2: Open for Business, may visit an owned business. While they will likely be dressed as burglars, they may be there to shop, not steal - so don't call the police unless they steal something.

Tips

With The Sims 2: Nightlife, a car with an alarm installed can serve as an outdoor alarm, at least if a burglar walks past the car.

In The Sims 2: Open for Business, if a Sim has a Silver Robotics Badge (or higher), they can craft a SentryBot, which will shock any burglars it comes in contact with.

With The Sims 2: Pets, werewolves can fight the burglar like a cop. The burglar will attempt to run if he loses, but steals items more quickly if he wins. This can be a good distraction until the cops arrive.

The Sims 3

A Male burglar in TS3

In The Sims 3, playable Sims can become burglars, something not possible in previous games. There are two ways for a Sim to burgle other households, they can either have the Kleptomaniac trait which allows them to take 3 items from a property they're visiting at night, or they can become a thief through the Criminal career track.

There is also a hidden trait called Burglar: Burglars must perfect their sneaking skills to properly liberate imprisoned items from the homes of neighbors. Burglars like to keep the skill in the family, so their children are able to sneak out like a pro at birth. There is a 50% chance that children of an NPC burglar will gain this trait. It allows Sims to sneak from place to place, an alternative to using a normal walk.

There are also burglars in The Sims 3: World Adventures locations. So set the alarms up at vacation homes too.

In The Sims 3, home owners can set the burglar free while the police are inspecting the house. Afterward, the cop will give the Sim a stern warning to not set burglars free.