When Jane Dennerly discovered a pair of gloves on her door mat, she was not sure what to think.
But, soon they were coming thick and fast.
She would often return from work at night to be greeted by yet another present at the front door.
Along with an increasing number of gloves, there were cloths, paint brushes - even a pair of knickers.
It did not take her long to find the culprit.
Her seemingly sweet cat, Bella, had been pinching items from unsuspecting neighbours in Prestwich under the cover of darkness.
"They just kept coming and coming," said Ms Dennerly.
"I have a massive bag of gloves, there are about 50 odd in there. Some of them are brand new.
"She started doing it about four years ago.
"We have had everything from workman's gloves, gardening, even surgical gloves. She has even brought back a paint brush and a pair of knickers in the past."
The nine-year-old pet prefers to strike in the summer months when neighbours have spent the day in their gardens.
Once the coast is clear, she takes what she likes before carrying it home.
"It starts in spring when the weather gets nice," explained Ms Dennerly, 54. "Every couple of weeks we will get something.
"We have had a few recently with the nice weather.
"We just laugh about it, it is so funny."
Fortunately, Ms Dennerly's neighbours have also seen the humorous side of things.
When her daughter, Hannah, took to the Original Prestwich People Facebook page to expose Bella's secret, dozens of people responded.
"Everyone seems to have found it hilarious," said Ms Dennerly, who lives in Heywood Road
"She is becoming a renowned thief.
"It makes me laugh that there are all these neighbours putting their gloves down and coming back to find they are gone.
"Bella is so sweet-natured, you would not think she was going out at night on the prowl. Her alter ego must come out when it is dark."
Ms Dennerly said she and her husband Ian had tried to work out who the gloves belonged to, but had no success.
"I often wonder how far Bella goes at night," she said.
"I have said that anyone who wants them back can come to collect them, but no one seems too bothered.
"It has made everyone smile in the current climate."
