Ken07AOVette...You say you are going in swinging when the thieves are at hand.... Might I suggest you keep a hockey helmet with face cage and some shin, chest and arm protectors with your bat. Just for your safety.
Be sure to paint your thief catching "outfit" in a dragon slayer theme so the thief only remembers a dragon slayer coming at him before the lights go out. haha
Would make the thief's testimony in court entertaining. "Your honour, all I remember is a dragonslayer creature saying good night."