I have been trying to find this movie (or perhaps television episode) for years. It is in color and had the look of something from the seventies or early eighties, and a dark and gloomy feel. Unfortunately, I was only able to catch a very small part of the film, but here is what I remember from the bit that I saw:

In a castle-ish-looking building there is a secure room with black and white striped walls and a black and white checkerboard floor. The thief enters the room in a suit that is black and white striped on the front, and checkerboard on the back (or vise-versa) and uses this to avoid setting off the camera-based security system. He successfully retrieves the object from the middle of the room and escapes into a dark rainy night. I don't believe their was much dialogue in the bit I saw, and for the life of me I can't remember what he stole.

I'm sorry I didn't see more, recognize any actors, or remember any dialogue. I would love to see the beginning/rest of it.

Any help is much appreciated, thanks!

Sounds like an old Sean Connery film to me. Look on IMDB at his film history.