In many communities, seagulls are considered nuisance birds. They are also thieves, at least when it comes to the Central Store in Wyke Regis, Dorset, England. The store has been losing money due to theft for at least six years. They trace the theft back to a particular bird they have named “Steven Seagull.” When customers leave the store door open, the seagull strolls in and helps itself to bags of crisps.

The manager of the small convenience store in Lyndale, Stuart Harmer, says Steven Seagull has stolen at least 30 packets of crisps in the last two months alone. The problem has been going on for at least six years. To curb theft, the store has put up a sign asking customers to close the door behind them. The sign has a picture of the offender.

Steven Seagull’s crime spree has been on the rise lately. The cunning animal waits for an unsuspecting guest to leave the door open, then dashes in, snatches his prey and makes a quick getaway.

According to the store manager, Steven Seagull has a clear preference for the BBQ beef flavored chips. At one point, store staff rearranged the chips and placed his “favorite” in a different spot. Steven Seagull was not deterred, however, and found his favorite flavor anyway. He seems to opt for the quick “grab and slug” technique before fleeing.

Steven Seagull can be seen on the sidewalk enjoying his prey and often sharing it with his bird friends. Some customers find the bird’s antics amusing. While it used to be difficult to explain the theft to the shopkeeper, the bird’s constant stealing is now a viral sensation. Perhaps then owners will be more forgiving of the loss.

The source of the cover image of this story can be found here.