There are variations on how the same Spanish language proverb is known or expressed. For example, the complete saying Ladrón que roba ladrón… can be expressed as:
1. Ladrón que roba a ladrón, merece el perdón
2. Ladrón que roba a ladrón tiene cien años de perdón
3. El que roba a un ladrón tiene cien años de perdón
All these Spanish sayings, which are also rhymes, literally translates to “a thief who robs a thief, deserves the pardon” or “a thief who robs a thief, deserves a 100 years of pardon.” All proverbs aims to teach something and ladrón que roba ladrón could mean:
• Since a thief causes problems for other people, the person that steals from the thief deserves not to be blamed.
• The blame falls on the original thief.
• Give him a taste of his own medicine.
• What comes around goes around.
But if you are looking for an English equivalent for this particular Spanish idiom, the closest one is “It’s no crime to steal from a thief.”
Check out these other English Spanish articles.