Crossword Genius

Criminal ring riots intermittently (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bandit

'criminal' is the definition.
(I know that bandit is a type of stealer)

'ring riots intermittently' is the wordplay.
'ring' becomes 'band' (synonyms).
'intermittently' means one should take alternating letters.
The alternate letters of 'riots' are 'it'.
'band'+'it'='BANDIT'

(Other definitions for bandit that I've seen before include "Highwayman" , "Desperado" , "Member of a gang of robbers" , "Marauder" , "Dan bit the robber badly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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