86 Burglars Interviewed

[Shellback]

An interesting article (http://www.kvue.com/news/investigations/we-asked-86-burglars-how-they-broke-into-homes/344367551) on the mindset & tactics of some of the bad guys.

Do you ever wonder whether your home security system or “Beware of Dog” sign actually keeps burglars away?

We did too. So KGW's investigative team sent letters to 86 inmates currently serving time for burglary in the Oregon Department of Corrections. The inmates were asked to respond anonymously to 17 questions detailing how they broke in, when the crime occurred and what they were looking for...

1. How did you typically break into a home or apartment?

Most inmates broke in through an unlocked door or window. Several burglars kicked the door open.

“I would kick in the door rather than break glass. Loud bangs are better than loud glass breaking, plus you run the risk of getting cut,” said one inmate...

[JAD]

An interesting article (http://www.kvue.com/news/investigations/we-asked-86-burglars-how-they-broke-into-homes/344367551) on the mindset & tactics of some of the bad guys.

I note they didn't ask if any of them worried about getting shot on the job. The survey was not conducted in Texas.

[BehindBlueI's]

They are idiots if they think anonymous self reporting from criminals is honest feedback.

[Chance]

They are idiots if they think anonymous self reporting from criminals is honest feedback.

Most of their answers seem fairly congruent to what I've heard in that past. Not sure if I believe the "know how to disable an alarm" thing, though. They all mentioned they knocked on the door first, and had an answer prepped in case anyone came to the door.

[Shellback]

I note they didn't ask if any of them worried about getting shot on the job. The survey was not conducted in Texas.

I read another article where most, if not all, of the inmates said an armed homeowner was their biggest fear.

[BJXDS]

All the references to criminals and inmates, I thought they should be referred to as "Students" one of them may read this and be offended or even have their feelings hurt.

[BehindBlueI's]

Most of their answers seem fairly congruent to what I've heard in that past. Not sure if I believe the "know how to disable an alarm" thing, though. They all mentioned they knocked on the door first, and had an answer prepped in case anyone came to the door.

I'm not saying everything is false. However, from years of interviewing criminals, they are always smarter, better prepared, more skilled, etc. in the interview than they were in the real crime. Ditto the survey that floated around where all the bad guys were claiming to use large caliber quality guns. Doesn't match with what's actually taken off mopes. Their mouths are full of .50 Deagles, their pockets are full of Raven .25s. Same here. Ego, what they wished they'd done, etc. comes across in self reporting.

[Drang]

All the references to criminals and inmates, I thought they should be referred to as "Students" one of them may read this and be offended or even have their feelings hurt.

That was in WA. This survey was in OR.

Appropriately enough, locally the PD says most burglaries are committed by high school students during their lunch/study hall periods...

[11B10]

I'm not saying everything is false. However, from years of interviewing criminals, they are always smarter, better prepared, more skilled, etc. in the interview than they were in the real crime. Ditto the survey that floated around where all the bad guys were claiming to use large caliber quality guns. Doesn't match with what's actually taken off mopes. Their mouths are full of .50 Deagles, their pockets are full of Raven .25s. Same here. Ego, what they wished they'd done, etc. comes across in self reporting.


Just an "outsider" question - if these guys were as good as they said, how is it they're in jail?

[lwt16]

Just an "outsider" question - if these guys were as good as they said, how is it they're in jail?

Here, we catch a lot of them when little Johnny or little Sally are home from school sick and call when they creep around to the back door and kick it open.

Knocking on the front door to see if anyone is home is a very common tactic where I patrol.

Observant neighbors who are retired are also adept at calling in the suspicious dudes. We show up and find the guy.....usually toting a pillow case full of stolen wares. Other units check the houses until they find the one with the kicked in back door.

These aren't criminal masterminds. They are usually dope addicts that are looking for guns, computers, jewelry, etc.

Regards

[BehindBlueI's]

Just an "outsider" question - if these guys were as good as they said, how is it they're in jail?

Pretty much what lwt16 said.

Someone doesn't answer the door and they kick it in anyway. Their dope habits get them picked up on their dope charges and they have stolen property in their possession. Their doper buddy rolls to try and get out of his dope charge. They leave prints or blood. They take something that can be tracked or traced. Surveillance video. They establish a pattern and UC surveillance snags them. Mad ex-girlfriend rats them out.

Despite what the criminals would feed the media, forethought is often not their strong suit. "Bypassing the alarm" generally consists of cutting the phone line, and given that the vast majority run on cell phone backup or Internet these days, that's useless. I've also seen "smash the panel with a chair" thinking that would work. If these guys were honest, worked to master a talent, had good forethought, etc. they'd have real jobs and not be in jail on a burglary charge.

[Beat Trash]

They are idiots if they think anonymous self reporting from criminals is honest feedback.

I have found out over the years how to tell if a suspect (criminal) is lying to you. If their mouths open and words are coming out...

[Joe in PNG]

The really smart crooks go into politics, where the payoffs are bigger and the risk nonexistent.