Crossword Genius

Pink paper pilferage (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

theft

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'pilferage' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'pink paper' is the wordplay.
'pink' becomes 'the' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'paper' becomes 'FT' (newspaper the FT, Financial Times).
'the'+'ft'='THEFT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for theft that I've seen before include "Act of larceny" , "Taking offence?" , "Taking of another's property" , "Act of stealing" , "Job" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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