Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(UK Und.) a thief who enters a house, takes what is easily available and leaves.

1861		(con. 1840s–50s) H. Mayhew London Labour and London Poor IV 291/2: The lobby-sneaks are the same class of persons as those who enter the areas, and contrive to get a livelihood in this way.
1867		Morpeth Herald 18 May 2/5: A Lobby Thief — on Monday [...] John Smith [...] was charged with having on Sunday stolen two silk umbrellas.
1882		Newcastle Courant 1 Sept. 5/5: Annie Forth (49) well known to the police a a lobby thief [etc.].
1888		Liverpool Mercury 16 Nov. 8/8: William Stanton, well know to the police as a ‘lobby thief’, was charged on supicion of having stolen two mackintoshes.
1898		Edinburgh Eve. News 24 Nov. 5/1: A Lobby Thief. Elizabeth Brewster [...] appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Criminal Court.
1906		Aberdeen Jrnl 23 Oct. 7/8: Thomas Martin [...] whom the procurator-fiscal described as a ‘lobby thief,’ pleaded guilty.
1916		Exeter & Plymouth Gaz. 9 Nov. 3/5: ‘Lobby Thief’ At Exeter. Lenient Treatment.
1924		S. Scott Human Side of Crook and Convict Life 15: Professional crooks ranging from the lobby thief to the expert mobsman.