A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Handhabend is an old term used to describe a thief who has been caught with stolen goods in their possession.

Examples:

• When the police caught the thief with the stolen jewelry in his pocket, he was considered handhabend.
• The handhabend criminal was brought to trial for carrying stolen goods.
• Handhabend was a term used in the past to describe a person caught with stolen goods, similar to the modern-day term "caught red-handed."

The examples illustrate that handhabend refers to a thief who has been caught with stolen goods in their possession. It was used in the past to describe such criminals and was often used in legal proceedings to determine jurisdiction and punishment.