Looking for patterns in burglary has its challenges. There are often no witnesses and the time of the crime often cannot be pinpointed - it occurs in a time range provided by the crime reporter.
The slightly revised chapter on Burglary from the book Elements of Crime Patterns:
Burglary is the unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit theft, vandalism, or another felony
See the blog posts later in August Entry, Search, & Exit and Tools & Equipment from Elements of Crime Patterns for important variables to consider in burglary pattern identification.
Burglary MO Variables
Objectives:
Financial Gain: Often, the primary motive is to steal money or valuables.
Thrill-Seeking: Some burglars may be motivated by the thrill of breaking and entering without detection.
Resource Gathering: Acquiring goods for resale or for use in other illegal activities.
Planning and Target Selection:
Reconnaissance: Scouting neighborhoods, businesses, or residences to identify vulnerable targets, which may involve observing routines, checking for security measures, and so on.
Timing: Choosing an opportune time for the burglary, often when occupants are away, or the area is less frequented. (It is often difficult to pinpoint the exact timing of a burglary because no one is present.)
Information Gathering: Utilizing online platforms, like social media or property records, to gather information about the target.
Tools and Equipment:
Breaking and Entering Tools: Such as crowbars, lock picks, and screwdrivers.
Transport: A vehicle for getting to and from the scene, as well as for transporting stolen items.
Communication Devices: Prepaid mobile phones or radios to communicate with accomplices, if any.
Execution:
Entry Method: Breaking a window, picking a lock, or entering through an unlocked door or window.
Movement Inside: Often fast and directed towards areas likely to contain valuables like bedrooms or offices.
Containment: Use of bags, pillowcases, or other items to gather and contain stolen goods.
Signature Behaviors: Eating food, defecating, watching TV, or leaving graffiti on a wall are some examples.
Evasion and Exit:
Quick Exit: Efficient routes preplanned for leaving the scene quickly.
Disguise or Change of Appearance: To avoid identification by witnesses or security cameras.
Destruction of Evidence: Disposing of tools, clothing, or stolen items packaging to leave no trace.
Intermediaries and Aftermath:
Fencing: Selling stolen goods quickly, often through pawn shops, online marketplaces, or known associates.
Laundering Proceeds: Through various means, such as cryptocurrencies, cash businesses, or gambling.
Cooling-Off Period: A period of low activity to reduce the chances of detection, especially if the burglary attracts significant media or police attention.
Adaptation:
Changing MO: Adapting techniques, targeting different areas, or changing appearance to avoid capture or identification.
Vulnerable Residential Burglary Targets
Located near burglarized homes, on the outskirts of neighborhoods, previously burglarized, routinely vacant during the day, unoccupied for periods, vacant for extended periods
Proximity to athletic venues, drug markets, major thoroughfares, parks, pawnshops, schools, stores, transit centers, treatment centers
Qualities: careless about security, concealing architectural designs, covered (trees and dense shrubs), displays of wealth, easily entered through side or back doors or windows, few security devices, new to neighborhood, next to alleys, no dogs, no security devices, on a corner, poor lighting, secluded, weakened entry points
Example Types of Burglary
Opportunistic Burglaries: This is the most common type of residential burglary, where a burglar takes advantage of an opportunity such as an open or unlocked door or window.
Forced Entry Burglaries: The burglar forcibly gains entry to the home by breaking a window, picking a lock, or kicking in a door.
Unlawful Entry without Force: The burglar gains entry to a home without using force, such as through an unlocked door or window.
Sneak-in Burglaries: These occur when a burglar enters a home while the residents are present, often while they are distracted or in a different part of the house.
Distraction Burglaries: In these cases, one burglar distracts the resident (often an elderly or vulnerable person) while another burglar enters the property to steal.
Ruse Entry Burglaries: The burglar poses as a utility worker, delivery person, or another trusted individual in order to gain access to the home.
Second-Story Burglaries: The burglar gains entry to a home through a second-story window, balcony, or other access point.
Garage Burglaries: The burglar gains entry through an attached garage, often by stealing or duplicating a garage door opener.
Unoccupied Residential Burglaries: These are burglaries that occur when the residents are away from home, such as during work hours, vacation, or an extended absence. Burglars may watch a home for signs of absence before striking.
Loft or Apartment Burglaries: These are burglaries in shared residential buildings. Burglars may exploit lax security in common areas or take advantage of close proximity to other residences..
Rural Burglaries: These occur in less densely populated areas, where homes may be more isolated and thus seen as easier targets.
Non-Residential Burglary
Serial non-residential burglaries refer to a series of burglaries carried out by the same person or group of people, often using similar methods, or targeting similar types of non-residential premises, such as schools or businesses. Here are some common types:
Smash and Grab: This is the most common type of commercial burglary. In this case, the burglars usually break the store's glass windows or doors (hence the name 'smash') and quickly take as much as they can before leaving the scene ('grab'). This method is fast and requires little skill.
Lock Manipulation: In these types of burglaries, the criminals manipulate or pick the locks to enter the premises. This often requires a higher level of skill and equipment, but it can be less detectable as it may not cause immediate visible damage.
Safe Cracking: These types of burglars target businesses with safes. They either force the safe open or manipulate the locking mechanism to access the contents. This requires more skill and time, but the rewards can also be higher.
Roof Entry: Some burglars will access commercial buildings via the roof, often by cutting through it. This can allow them to bypass security measures at the main entrances and go undetected until after they have left.
Rear or Side Entry: Many commercial burglaries involve entering the building through a back or side door, where there's often less visibility and less security than at the front.
Utility Access: In some cases, burglars might gain access to the premises through utility entrances, such as air vents or sewer systems. This requires a good knowledge of building layouts and systems.
Sophisticated burglaries: These are burglaries where advanced technology or equipment is used. This could include jamming alarm systems, using cloned key cards or hacking into security systems.
