The Hamburglar was McDonald's hamburger-stealing character in classic McDonaldland advertising.
The character was created as a mischievous figure whose main goal was to take hamburgers, especially the brand's signature burgers. His striped clothing, cape, and exaggerated persona made him easy to recognize in television commercials and promotional artwork.
The Hamburglar's appearance changed substantially over the years. The early version was more cartoonish and villain-like, while a later redesign made him look younger and more child-friendly. These versions are both part of the character's branding history.
The Hamburglar was not the same character as Captain Crook, who was associated with Filet-O-Fish advertising. Both belonged to McDonaldland, but their roles and visual identities were different.