Burglaries: Understanding Who And Why You Have Been Ripped Off

One of my colleagues who had recently moved into our city decided to go on a weekend trip. They had just moved into an upscale apartment complex, bought several new pieces of furniture and had decided that in one year they would purchase a home. While they were on their much needed jaunt to the coast a large moving truck backed up to their back patio door. When it left the apartment had been completely emptied including all the new furniture, computers, televisions, heirlooms, even the washer and dryer. To compound their loss was the reality that they had no insurance to cover their losses.

Property crime is far more prevalent than violent crime and the costs are astronomical. Our Christmas season is the busiest of all for burglars. Most burglaries are instrumental meaning that perpetrators are looking for tangible items such as money, electronic equipment, DVDs & CDs and jewelry. We can help prevent such thefts of property by improving our lighting, installing more secure door and window locks, activating alarm systems and participating in neighborhood watch programs. A burglar is different than a person who robs because he usually breaks into your home when no one else is there. Most burglars prefer not to engage anyone but rather focus on stealing anything of marketable value. The idea is to get in and out as quickly as possible. Robbers, of course, physically confront victims and demand access to their money, cars, etc. and unlike most burglars, are often armed.

There is a second type of burglar that we all need to be aware of who also preys upon unsuspecting victims but whose crimes are expressive as well as instrumental. This means that some burglars are not only interested in stealing from you but also expressing their feelings and fantasies. For example, hot burglaries are committed by perpetrators who like to break into homes when victims are there. Some will sneak around inside your house stealing items while you are watching television, working in your kitchen or taking a shower. For such offenders these crimes provide thrills and the idea of being so close to their victims is exciting. One offender confided that he felt very powerful as he watched his unsuspecting victims.

Other hot burglaries also involve sexual predators. Indeed, they too will steal from you but some of the items taken often include lingerie and personal items. Such burglars are known to sneak into bedrooms to watch their victims sleep. In one case an offender relayed to me that he not only felt in control but that he became sexually aroused doing hot burglaries. Some expressive burglars have been known to leave personal "messages" for their victims such as defecating on their kitchen table, vandalizing the home, or leaving threatening notes.

I have interviewed many burglars and the most dangerous ones are those acting out sexual fantasies. The offenders tend to be progressive in their crimes and sometimes will turn burglaries into robberies or even sexual assaults because the victim becomes aware a stranger is in their midst. Regardless of the extent of your loss due to burglary, reporting such crimes to the police is critical. The more crimes are reported the more crime analysts can predict when and where offenders will strike. Reporting burglaries also keeps law enforcement aware of the frequency and types of burglaries occurring and thus can determine the types of burglars operating in your neighborhood.

Have a safe and joyful Christmas.

Eric Hickey, Ph.D.
Director of the Center for Forensic Studies - Alliant International University
Criminal Psychologist & Crime Consultant
Biography

Be sure to follow Dr. Hickey's online blog.

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