Which McDonald's character was portrayed as a thief who wanted to steal hamburgers?

The Hamburglar was portrayed as a thief who wanted to steal hamburgers in McDonald's advertising.

He was one of the best-known McDonaldland characters and was defined by his small size, black-and-white costume, cape, mask, and repeated attempts to take hamburgers. The character's role created a playful conflict that could be understood quickly by children watching television commercials.

The Hamburglar's appearance changed over time. Early versions were more mischievous and unusual, while later advertising presented a younger, friendlier character with a simpler design. Despite those changes, hamburger theft remained the central joke and the source of his name.

The Hamburglar is not the same character as Captain Crook, who was associated with the Filet-O-Fish, or Mayor McCheese, who represented the civic side of McDonaldland. His branding function was to make the hamburger itself part of a recurring story.