Can a thief only steal items he can use?

[Munchkinrobicon]

In a previous post, it was suggested that a thief would have to put any items he or she steals into play.

Does this mean that a thief can only steal items playable by thieves? For example, is a male thief prevented from stealing an item usable only by females?

[Mister Ed]

In play and in use are two different things. All the cards on the table (with a few exceptions for things that are there as reminders) are in play, even if they are turned sideways.

[MunchkinMan]

Any player can have any Item in play, even if he can't use it. So, a Thief can steal any small Item from anyone. He then must put it into play, sideways if he can't use it.