The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word THIEF
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
H
I
E
F
More clues leading to the result THIEF
- One arrested by the force?
- Criminal husband shown in dodgy E-FIT
- Criminal one captured by the force
- One to be taken by the force?
- Article I digested on female – one with taking ways?
- Criminal: one infiltrating the force?
- Robber, one arrested by the force
- Article about one following crook
- Crook to hurry, absorbed by paperback?
- Person taking temperature before head cold cleared
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "One to be taken by the force" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one to be taken by the force = thief.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does THIEF mean?
THIEF noun- One who carries out a theft.
- One who steals another person's property, especially by stealth and without using force or violence.
- A waster in the snuff of a candle.