YOU SAID:
the thieves stole the paints before they were sold
INTO JAPANESE
泥棒は売られる前に塗料を盗んだ
BACK INTO ENGLISH
Thief stole paint before it was sold
INTO JAPANESE
売られる前に泥棒がペンキを盗んだ
BACK INTO ENGLISH
Thief stole paint before it was sold
That didn't even make that much sense in English.