noun
auto theft; car thief
Refers to both the crime of stealing a car and the person who steals it. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
この地域では車泥棒が増えている。
Car theft is on the rise in this area.
昨夜、車泥棒に車を盗まれた。
Last night, my car was stolen by a car thief.
Formal term for auto theft, often used in police reports or news.
Compound of 車 (car) and 泥棒 (thief/theft).