In Hamilton, New Zealand, a cat named Nico the Great has become famous for stealing laundry and household items from his neighbours.
Since April, Nico has taken more than 200 items, including socks, underwear, tea-towels, sponges, and even a small puppet. His owner, Kateshe Clark, says the playful thief proudly delivers the stolen goods to their home.
Each time Nico returns, he meows loudly as if to announce his success, before dropping the items in the hallway. At first, his raids took place in the evenings, but now he also collects things during the day. Clark says it can be both amusing and embarrassing, especially when Nico returns with other people’s clothing.
Despite efforts to find the rightful owners, many items remain unclaimed. Clark has spoken with neighbours and posted on social media, but only a few pieces have been returned. For now, most of Nico’s collection sits in a box, waiting to be reunited with its owners.
