Interview with a Burglar

Anthony had been a career burglar in the Charlotte, North Carolina area from the early 1980s until he was apprehended in 1999. He confessed to burglarizing over 600 homes.

As part of a plea bargain, the Charlotte police worked with Anthony to discover his methods.For several days Anthony drove with the police throughout his old burglary areas and he explained his strategies and methods in detail. A video was recorded in 2008 at the time Anthony was incarcerated in a Kentucky jail.

By watching this video, you’ll get some real insight as to the thought patterns of a burglar. And you’ll see some rather easy “home remedies” that you can use to make our burglar’s job a lot more difficult.

1 Minute Security Checkup

Here’s a checklist of things you should do to prevent your home from being invaded:

• Are all doors, windows, pet entrances and garage doors closed and securely closed? Doors should have deadbolt locks with at least a 1” throw and reinforced strike place with 3” screws. All windows should have window locks.
• Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of wood in the track and install vertical bolts.
• When service or delivery personnel come to your door do you ask for ID? If you are still not sure, call the police and report the stranger. After, call the company to confirm.
• Do you cut up cartons for TVs, computers, stereos, etc when you put them out to the curb for trash pickup? Tie pieces together so a burglar going through the garbage does not see any of your highly valuable household items.
• Do you have ladders or tools lying around outside? They can assist a possible intruder. Have you installed a wide-angle door viewer (peep-hole) in your front door so you can see who is at the door? Never open the front door without seeing who is there first. Never have a child answer the door.
• Do you have a home inventory list, complete with photos and videos, and receipts of your belongings?
• Is your premises protected by a professionally installed burglar alarm.