What does the cryptic crossword clue "Perhaps Shorty and Chalky commit identity theft? (9)" mean?

The definition is "erhaps Shorty and Chalky". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). NICK (synonym="as in steal") + NAMES (synonym="commit identity theft") = NICKNAMES The answer is NICKNAMES.

Perhaps Shorty and Chalky commit identity theft? (9)

Guardian Cryptic #29100 | 17 Across | 2023-06-19 flower

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