In McDonald's branding history, the original 1970s mascot known for stealing hamburgers was the Hamburglar.
The Hamburglar was introduced as a McDonaldland character whose recurring role was to try to take hamburgers. His name combined “hamburger” with “burglar,” making the character's behavior immediately understandable to young audiences.
His earliest appearance was more sinister-looking than the later, smaller character familiar from many commercials. McDonald's eventually redesigned him with a childlike appearance, striped clothing, a cape, and a distinctive speech pattern.
The Hamburglar is sometimes confused with Captain Crook, another McDonaldland character. Captain Crook was associated with Filet-O-Fish sandwiches, while the Hamburglar's defining theme was hamburgers.