Crossword Genius

Thief finally struck wildly at policeman (12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

kleptomaniac

'thief' is the definition.
(kleptomaniac is a kind of thief)

'finally struck wildly at policeman' is the wordplay.
'finally' says to take the final letters.
'wildly' indicates an anagram.
The last letter of 'struck' is 'k'.
'at'+'policeman'='atpoliceman'
'atpoliceman' with letters rearranged gives 'leptomaniac'.
'k'+'leptomaniac'='KLEPTOMANIAC'

(Other definitions for kleptomaniac that I've seen before include "Obsessive thief" , "Motiveless thief" , "A man to pickle (anag) - one with an urge to steal" , "Compulsive thief" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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