Clarence "The Thief" Jefferson
- Born:
- July 12, 1952, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Burglar, Author (Ghostwritten)
Early Life and Education
- Born and raised in a low-income neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.
- Limited formal education; dropped out of high school at age 16.
- Began petty theft and street hustling in his early teens.
Career and Major Achievements
- Established a reputation as a skilled and prolific burglar specializing in high-value residential targets.
- Operated primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area during the 1970s and 1980s.
- Served multiple prison sentences for burglary and related offenses.
- While incarcerated, dictated his memoirs, resulting in the "Autobiography of a Criminal", published in 1992. The writing was ghostwritten by journalist Sarah Klein.
Notable Works
| Title | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Autobiography of a Criminal | 1992 | A ghostwritten memoir detailing Jefferson's life of crime and experiences within the criminal justice system. |
Legacy and Impact
Clarence "The Thief" Jefferson's primary impact lies in his unlikely contribution to criminological literature through the publication of "Autobiography of a Criminal." While not a celebrated figure, the book provides a first-hand account of the motivations and experiences of a career criminal, offering insights into the criminal underworld and the failures of the rehabilitation system.