"What else could you be, breaking in here like a common criminal?"

They are going to try me like a common criminal.

To be called a common criminal, has an added injury to it.

Still, they were common criminals; he would have them executed.

"I have a right to know why I've been dragged down here like a common criminal."

In addition, she is easily distracted by a common criminal.

"This man is a common criminal," he told the judge.

"I will not be placed under arrest like some common criminal."

Now he would be a common criminal, even in his own eyes.

Just a bunch of common criminals, that's all they are.