c1384 (Douce 369(2)) John x. 10 A niȝt theef cometh not, no but that he stele and sle and leese.
1681 W. Robertson (1693) 1082 Night-thieves, house-breakers.
1812 J. B. White iv. 39 I seem to play the night-thief, and tremble, At that loved voice which once my ears enchanted.
2001 (Nexis) 3 July 4 (headline) Man who tackled night thief talks.