- BGG rank
- BGG #2,530
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Stop Thief!
- 1–5 players
- 30–60 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,825
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Stop Thief
1979
Rules assistance for Stop Thief
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.7/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Stop Thief
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Stop Thief is a board game released in 1979 for 2–4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Robert Doyle and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Memory, and Grid Movement.
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About the game
ELECTRONIC COPS AND ROBBERS. Featuring the ELECTRONIC CRIME SCANNER. A crime is being committed…but where? In the jewelry store? The bank? Where will the thief strike next? You and your opponents are licensed private detectives. The thief you’re after is computer controlled and completely invisible. But you can hear him! With your ELECTRONIC CRIME SCANNER you can eavesdrop on the thief whenever he moves on the board. You can hear him in the act of committing a crime. You hear him, too, as he opens a door, crosses a floor, breaks a window, runs on the street and escapes on the subway. Each sound you hear is a clue that will help you track him down. You’ll need all your skills of deduction and logic to follow the thief and corner him. Then you can call the police. With luck, the police will arrest the thief and cart him off to jail. Sometimes, though, he escapes from them. At other times, he’s just not where you think he is! If you can catch this thief, you’ll earn a large reward. If he gives you the slip, he’ll rob again…and again…and again… Features On the board are 19 different locations where the thief can commit a crime If you need another clue, a hot tip or some extra cash, play the appropriate Sleuth Card on your turn. To earn a reward, you’ll have to arrest the thief before one of your opponents does. Add $100 to the reward for each additional crime that the thief commits. The winner of the game is the first detective to earn $2500 in reward money. Track and arrest the thief with the ELECTRONIC CRIME SCANNER Use this powerful computer to track the escaping thief. Follow the thief with electronic sound effects. Listen for crime alarms, creaking doors, breaking glass and more. The digital readout instantly flashes additional information. The tipster can tell you exactly where the thief is hiding. Use the numbered keys to show the police where to make an arrest. The clue button allows you to eavesdrop on the thief whenever he moves A limited warranty is enclosed. Ask to see the retailer’s copy prior to purchase. Required, but not included, is a 9-volt alkaline battery.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Parker Brothers
- Editrice Giochi
- Alga
- Miro Company
- Clipper
- Borras Plana S.A.
Questions and answers
Stop Thief supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Stop Thief is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Stop Thief for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Stop Thief has a complexity rating of 1.7 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Stop Thief belongs to these categories: Deduction and Electronic. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Memory, and Grid Movement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Stop Thief are: Robert Doyle. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Stop Thief as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.