Professional Burglars

[bikerdoc]

I got a nephew with a borderline friend. I told him in no uncertain terms he is not welcome in my house, and if anything untoward happens I will blame him, seek him out and deal with it, my way. I got enough of a rep and history that they know I am serious.

 

[xXxplosive]

Well, this gang that's doin these burgleries are real Pros....not family members.....this appears to be some hi-tech operation and it's making home owners in our area very nervous....

 

[Hugo]

I would guess the real professional burglars are more like in the excellent book & film Absolute Power with Clint Eastwood as Luther Whitney (master jewel thief). They plan and research the heck out of their target. In the novel he cases the mansion as a carpet cleaner. And in the movie he vaguely hints he had to break into the alarm company HQ to learn how to defeat the mansions alarm system. I don't doubt some burglars at least try that or just bribe/get-someone-inside an alarm company to learn tricks.

The serious pro jewel thief is likely to only go after multimillionaires with lots of jewelry and likely plan to deal with alarms. Big reward with big risk. Big, well trained guard dogs might help deter that. Most billionaires are more nervous about kidnapping of their family, but good security also discourages burglars.

Layers of security like an Onion seems to be the best way. Outer layer is don't brag or show off you have lots of valuables. As for dogs, a well trained and obedient German Shepard/Doberman/Rottweiler usually works well. Crooks really don't want to get bit. Like many times in life, it pays to make people not want to mess with you because it's not worth the problems.

Idiots using Facebook to tell the world when you're not at home is definitely not a wise move.

It Takes a Thief was a good show on this too. I think it was on Discovery Channel. I remember once they even broke into a police/fire station/city hall and got blueprints for the whole town's homes. Research bonanza for crooks there. The chief was surprised.

Reminds me of these guys too. They also were connected to the Mafia. Robbed hundreds of mansions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner_Set_Gang

LEO's please keep the real world experiences coming.

 

[lemaymiami]

Guys, I like dogs a lot and they're a handy deterrant to many security problems. In the case of high end burglars any dog will hardly slow them down, I'm afraid. If pros are coming they'll have in place a means of dealing with everything from the family pet to a well trained guard dog.

I was involved in the occasional warrant service when our guys were going up against dope dealers that kept dogs on scene to delay and/or confound authorities coming after them. We always assigned an "Adios Fido" officer who's specific job was to take down the dog. We were pretty hard on Fido... and I make the assumption that any pro from the bad side of the street would be as well...

Wish it weren't so... like I said, I like dogs (and have two of my own). We shot dogs with everything from a suppressed MP5 to a super short entry popper at point blank range... all as part of the job. Can't say I miss that job at all....

 

[Pilot]

I think dogs are more of an early alarm system, not a means to stop a professional burglar when nobody is at home. My German Shorthair sleeps in his own bed in the corner of my bedroom. He is not a frequent barker, and only barks if something is wrong. If he hears or senses something he starts with a low growl, which wakes me up. He doesn't escalate to barking unless there is something amiss. At that point, I am wide awake and prepared. Also, it most likely lets the potential intruder know that both a dog, and the homes occupants are awake, and wary.

 

[xXxplosive]

I agree.........our GS is our early warning system....although his bite is as good as his bark if you are not welcome......He Knows.....but your correct in saying Pros will be prepaired to deal with whatever necessary if they want what you have.

Remember reading years ago in a Readers Digest article of a B&E guy who wrote a piece after he retired....was funny as heck....I recall him saying upon entering one home in Texas he saw two eyes staring at him in the dark.....problem was they were 6" apart....I laughed like hell.....home owner had a pet lion in the house.....the BG obviously was out of there in a flash.

 

[gtd]

They also generally target easy prey -- doors left open, no attention to detail, clockwork schedules, etc. Simple remedies for these things.

 

[Certaindeaf]

.Simple remedies for these things.

True.
I was reminded of that Larson cartoon.. Beware of Doug.

Get a Doug.

 

[xXxplosive]

After seeing the video today on a local website .... the 3rd guy comming through the front door....looks like he is armed with a handgun.

 

[al123]

Some burglaries become robberies

Yesterday, I ran into a fella whose home was recently burglarized.

While the vast majority of burglaries happen in daytime, this one occurred at night. Someone had left the front living room window slightly open (less than an inch).

Burglar came through that window in the early hours of the morning (best guess) and stole cash and portable electronic devices. Went out the front door.

No one knew until the wife could not find her company iphone to make an early morning business call. She thought her daughter was playing a practical joke until she saw the living room window wide open.

If she or someone else in the family confronted the burglar (unarmed) the outcome might have been worse - much worse. They had no dog, no alarm, and no serious weapons. They were definitely investigating in buying an alarm. However, they gave the impression that they do not believe in owning firearms.

 

[xXxplosive]

http://bridgewater.patch.com/articl...bond-style-burglary-police-say#video-11878906

Hope this vid works......check it out.....recently released.

 

[al123]

the 3rd guy comming through the front door....looks like he is armed with a handgun.

Thanks for the video, and yeah he definitely had a handgun ready for action with both hands.

Also I notice delivered packages scattered about. IMO, it's a definite no-no to allow them to sit out there for any length of time.

For me, I would make the effort to have the packages picked up, or I'd be there to receive it, if I know it's coming. In addition, I also have a spot where the delivery guys can just drop them, but they can't be seen from the street.

Not it would make any difference with this gang...

 

[jawman]

I get all of my packages delivered to my work address. Roommate had a nice package of Brooks Brothers clothing sent to him by his grandparents for his birthday that was stolen. We were all at work/school when it was delivered. Tracking info said it was delivered, but we never got it.

 

[Hugo]

Also +10 on have packages delivered to work. Crooks drive around looking for packages to grab and if the mail looks uncollected a few days they might see your home as a target.

Anybody have a link to the retired burglar talking to Readers Digest? I want to read that. A Pet lion staring at you at night? Yikes! I would pee myself and run!!

Speaking of big cats. This is very, very funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvlHO-IsK0
Best description of the clouded leopard is a "fun size" tiger. Help conserve them.

 

[Grey_Mana]

In Texas a few years back,
A crime ring operated by driving a big moving truck up onto the grass, pulling it around the back (if no fence) or to the side of the house. They would jump out, and use saw-alls to cut right through the wall - through the siding, the 2x4s and the dry wall. Completely bypassed security systems triggered by the doors & windows.