Burglary FAQs

Someone who has recently had a burglary at their home answers some frequently asked questions about burglary.

Does a burglar always break down a door or smash a window to get into a home?
No, sometimes a burglar finds a key, say, the one you have hidden in the garage, and uses it to open the back door and walk into your home.

Can a person always tell when their house has been burgled?
Walking into a just-burgled house, you might notice right away that the door is closed, but not locked. That might not worry you much, but then you notice that your jewelry box is lying on the floor by the door.  It is then that you might realize that something has happened.

Do burglars harm small, timid pets?
Most homeowners will first think of their defenseless pets.  If your pet is a very timid black and white kitty who tends to hide under beds when unknown people enter your home, she will probably also hide when a burglar enters your home.  When you arrive to find the house has been burgled, you might call to her as you walk in and put down the groceries, and she might trot into the kitchen, unharmed.

What kinds of things do burglars steal?
Stuff that can be quickly put into a backpack; for example:

• a small laptop from the kitchen
• the Kindle Fire in its pink case from the kitchen counter
• a small laptop from an upstairs bedroom
• an internet tablet from the same bedroom
• a box of jewelry from a different bedroom

What kinds of things are surprisingly not taken?
It varies. Probably things that are too large to fit in a burglar's backpack or bag; for example:

• flat-screen TV
• stereo equipment
• a new digital camera
• musical instruments--a flute, several guitars, an amp
• regular-sized desktop computers
• Bose headphones (this seems odd)

It seems like burglars can be very systematic.  Is that true?
Seems like it.

Does a burglar leave a mess?
Not always.  He may even close the door behind him when he leaves.

What do burglars do with the stuff they steal?
Police officers say that burglars usually try to get money for their items.  When lucky homeowners have serial numbers for all the electronics that are stolen, the police can share those serial numbers with pawn shops who must record those numbers.  Pawn shop owners might say to you that they would welcome a list of the stolen items with their serial numbers so that they can confiscate any stolen items.

Those serial numbers are also on a nationwide registry.  Still, the items might be passed on rather than sold, or they may be sold on E-bay.

As for the jewelry, it's hard to know what the burglar will be able to do with it.  If the jewelry has mostly sentimental value--say a worn gold-plated cross bought for the homeowner when she was confirmed, or a glass pendant she bought on a family vacation--a pawn shop may not take it.  The burglar may just throw it away, as sad as that sounds.

In the case of an item that's worth more, like a diamond and platinum ring that belonged to the homeowner's grandmother--a pawn shop may take it. The homeowner may continue to hope that it might be found.

What is the difference between a burglary and robbery?
A burglary involves a person breaking into a structure without permission in order to commit another offense, like theft.  A robbery involves the threat of violence to steal money or property.  Clearly, a robbery would have been worse.

What does a person do after being burgled?
Phone her spouse, phone the police, find serial numbers, borrow a laptop from work, make plans to visit pawn shops.  Oh, and put away the groceries.