Legal Definitions - drawlatch

Definition: A drawlatch is a historical term used to describe a thief or robber who waits until homes are empty, then draws the door latches to steal what is inside.

Back in the old days, people used to be afraid of drawlatches. They would make sure to lock their doors and windows before leaving their homes, so that these thieves couldn't get in. Drawlatches were known for stealing valuable items like jewelry, money, and other precious belongings.

One example of a drawlatch in action is when a family goes on vacation and leaves their home unattended. The drawlatch would wait until they were gone, then sneak in and steal whatever they could find.

Another example is when a drawlatch would target a wealthy family's home. They would wait until the family was out at a party or event, then break in and steal expensive items like paintings, silverware, and furniture.

These examples illustrate how drawlatches were sneaky and opportunistic thieves who would take advantage of people's absence to steal from them.