The Hamburglar was the McDonald's character whose name referred to stealing hamburgers.
He appeared as a recurring McDonaldland villain who tried to take hamburgers, usually while Ronald McDonald and the other characters attempted to stop him. His striped clothing, dark cape, and exaggerated manner made him visually distinct in television commercials and promotional material.
The character's appearance changed substantially over the decades. Early versions were more heavily disguised and spoke in a stylized way, while later versions were redesigned with a younger, more simplified look.
The Hamburglar is sometimes confused with Captain Crook, another McDonaldland villain associated with Filet-O-Fish advertising. Their roles were different: the Hamburglar focused on hamburgers, while Captain Crook was linked to fish sandwiches. Both belonged to the same broader branded fictional universe.