Thank god for this thread...I joined just to try my luck.
I have been searching for this game for years, so I will be extremely grateful if someone can finally help me with this.
This game is sort of a game for children, it is sort of educational. It is a puzzle game with around 12 levels, and I believe you play some sort of cop who has to solve puzzles to prove that the thief is able to commit theft under the given circumstances and such. After solving the puzzle, the thief would then teleport(?) and you get to solve the next puzzle.There is also a professor-like character icon that acts as the hint icon on the bottom left corner of the screen as you solve the puzzles. The whole game has a cartoonish feel to it.
Here are some of the few levels I remember:
One level requires the player to prove the thief can commit the theft of a few jewels in 12 moves. The solution to the puzzle is methodically taking out all the jewels from the drawers from bottom to top,then closing all the drawers in one swoop using a broom.
Another level involves a classic puzzle with the feel of the "Wolf, Goat and Cabbage" problem (http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/jbwolfgoat.htm). Except that in this game, it involves a dog, a treasure chest and the thief, and the goal to use platforms (which can only hold 2 of these things at one time) to move all these 3 things up into a cage. The dog if left alone would eat the thief, and the thief would steal the chest if left alone with it. For this puzzle, the setting has an Egyptian feel to it.
The final level of the game involves moving through tunnels in a dungeon to locate the thief who escaped into it. You can make chalk markings, or light candles which are set in a circle. I never solved that level as a child and really wish I can find this game once again and solve this level once and for all. No regrets, right?
If this jogs your memory, please, please, please tell me its name! I am really desperate about this.Thank you!
EDIT: Found the game! It's called "The Puzzling Time Quest" for those who are interested. Thanks!