Street Criminals

Street Criminals refers to NPCs that steal vehicles, and often pick-pocket pedestrians. They have been featured in the series since Grand Theft Auto 2. They add realism by simulating typical street crimes.

Grand Theft Auto 2

The car thieves in GTA 2 wear a green shirt and will usually steal any civilian or gang car that they can access, including the player's vehicle. Although the police make no attempts to stop car thieves, if a gang car is stolen, nearby gang members will open fire or chase the stolen vehicle. there is also a red theif but he does not steal cars instead steals money from civlians, unarmed gang members or claude speed they will try and give chase to a npc by slowly walking towards them while the victim is trying to run away.unlike the car theives these do get chase by the cops they may start to give chase either slowly approching them while the crinimal is running away only if they did not do anything or if the cops see them stealing they start shooting at them. gang members that have a gun shoot them as well. the most unusal thing about them is that once they stole from someone they stop stealing like if they were a pedistrain and even take a taxi which they do not do until they stole from someone. if you hit them he would run off but only to try again if you get into a car they stop chasing you this way you would not likly if there is no cops around be the safest but they will try again if you go out, but killing them stops them unless there is a second one. cops if chasing you sometimes a theif may try to steal you but ends up getting shot by the police.

Grand Theft Auto III

The car thieves in GTA III look strikingly similar to members of the Southside Hoods, except that they wear a brown jacket, as opposed to the Hoods' red or purple jackets. Much like in GTA 2, they will steal any civilian or gang vehicle that they can access, icluding the player's vehicle. They can also be seen pick-pocketing pedestrians - who usually run away or chase/fight them.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

The car thieves in GTA Vice City come in two varieties; one has dark skin and is wearing a red shirt, black leather jacket, blue jeans, and white shoes, the other has light skin and wears the exact same clothing except that his shirt is white, and his jacket is brown. They seem to be a gang, of sorts, as they can often be seen in groups in the North Point Mall. Again, they will steal any civilian or gang vehicle that they can access, including the player's vehicle. However, if a police officer sees them, either, car-jacking or pick-pocketing, they will attempt stop them - the player is rewarded a "Good Citizen Bonus" of $50, if they choose to help the officer.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

The car thieves in GTA San Andreas will try to steal any vehicle, including the player's vehicle, however, they will not steal police cars, police motorcycles, or any other law enforcement vehicle. They may sometimes have hidden weapons, such as, a knife or a pistol. Like in GTA Vice City, if a police officer sees them stealing cars, they will attempt to stop them. Unfortunately, the player no longer recieves a "Good Citizen Bonus" for helping the officer, in fact, the player is more likely to attain a wanted level by doing so.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

The car thieves in GTA Liberty City Stories come in at least two different varieties; one has light skin and wears a grey hooded shirt, a blue jacket and green pants, while the other has dark skin and wears a blue and brown jacket, dark pants and a dark hat. A large amount of them appear in Bedford Point, although they also appear in other parts of the city. Like in the previous two games, the criminals are often chased by police officers, and the $50 "Good Citizen Bonus" for helping the officer to stop the criminal returns having been absent in GTA San Andreas.