Damir Vorlof, 44, is an internationally operating gentleman thief specializing in rare art, historic jewelry, antiquities, and objects that are often far more valuable for their history than their price.

Tall, lean and athletic, Damir has an unmistakably Eastern European appearance: almost black hair, usually slightly unruly, the first traces of silver at his temples, dark intense eyes, sharp features, olive-pale skin and a neatly kept beard. There is something distinctly dark about him. Even when perfectly dressed, he can appear more dangerous than respectable.

Damir favors black, charcoal and other dark colors, usually wearing impeccably tailored but deliberately understated clothing. He dislikes obvious displays of wealth. His watches, shoes and suits are exceptionally expensive, but only someone knowledgeable would recognize it.

Highly educated, multilingual and extraordinarily observant, Damir is as comfortable discussing Renaissance art, history and literature as he is bypassing a security system.

He operates internationally and maintains contacts among collectors, auction houses, smugglers, restorers, criminals and wealthy clients. He also possesses legitimate identities, businesses and residences that make determining where Damir Vorlof truly belongs remarkably difficult.

His origins lie somewhere in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He rarely gives a straightforward answer about precisely where.

Damir has a subtle Eastern European accent that becomes slightly stronger when he is tired, angry or emotionally distracted.

He does not consider himself a common burglar.

Common burglars steal whatever they can find.

Damir steals exactly what he came for.