You're confusing "a commodity to the thief, perhaps someday a tool to to whoever receives stolen goods" versus "a tool to the thief." The first is used in dail

You're confusing "a commodity to the thief, perhaps someday a tool to to whoever receives stolen goods" versus "a tool to the thief." The first is used in daily commutes, the second is used once as a battering-ram/getaway car before being abandoned in a ditch.