Scripture did describe His coming as a thief in the night.
Scripture says “the day of the Lord” will come like a thief in the night. That is different and the context is different. Certainly different than saying the Lord is like a thief. Unfortunate word choice, and the writer implies He has the intent of a thief to steal from us. Do you believe that? I find the notion incredible in the extreme.
Revelation is obscure, hard to comprehend, to be sure. But if you seek you will find.