Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(UK Und.) an itinerant thief, moving from town to town.

1859		Matsell Vocabulum.
1895		C. Crowe Aus. Sl. Dict. 73: Shooting Stars, thieves who don’t remain long in any place.
1901		Argus (Melbourne) 20 Sept. 6/4: Amongst these small fry of the profession [are] the shooting star, or thief who frequently changes his quarters; the shorter or coin clipper.