A petty thief

 is an optional side mission featured in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha from v1.4002.

"There's a Karlik, leaving nearby, who steals things from around the area; the military asked us to kill this thief, and bring back something from personal things of the commander of the checkpoint. According to approximate data, Karlik lives on a farm near the Church."

- Maj Griboyedov

"Well, here's the thing... In these places there are lots of mutants, and they are becoming more and more aggressive. A Dwarf got a habit of stealing stuff from our blockpost, and every single time he manages to get away. That bastard stole all the vodka we had stored! We can't afford sending our men to hunt down the thief, so, in short, you need to kill the bastard! Are you taking the job?"

- Maj Griboyedov

Overview
The mission is given by Major Griboyedov, located at the Military barracks in eastern Countryside.

A combined Camp Elimination and Find The Item side mission:
 * 1) Kill the Karlik.
 * 2) Find the Major's stolen gun.
 * 3) Return the gun to the Major.

Kill the Karlik

 * After you have accepted the mission your PDA is updated with the area where the Karlik will be (around the otherwise abandoned church near the eastern Bandit village in Countryside, where Hermit resides).

Find the Major's stolen gun

 * The gun can be found in the house on the church compound, in the room with the other stuff stolen by the Karlik.

Return the gun to the Major

 * Return to Major Griboyedov and hand him the gun.