1. Chapter 13
Burglary
Hess 13-1

2. Introduction
• Word burglar comes from the German words burg,
meaning “house,” and laron, meaning “thief”
• Burglary is reported by frequency and by the value of
the property stolen and recovered
• 30-year decline in burglaries due partly to
improvements in locks and burglar alarm technology
• Public regards burglary as a major crime problem
Hess 13-2

3. Burglary versus Robbery
DIFFERENCES
• Burglar seeks to avoid contact
• Robbers confront their victims directly
• Burglary is a crime against property
• Robbery is a crime against a person
Hess 13-3

4. Classification
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES
• Buildings, structures or
attachments suitable for
dwellings
• Routine-activity theory

Likely or motivated offenders

Suitable targets

Absence of guardians
Hess 13-4

5. Classification
COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES
• Burglars often specialize in one type of facility
• Out-of-way businesses more susceptible
• Occur when establishments are closed
• Buildings may be “cased” in advance
Hess 13-5

6. Elements of the Crime: Burglary
KEY ELEMENTS
• All states include three key elements:

Entering a structure
 Without the consent of the person in possession
 With intent to commit a crime therein
Hess 13-6

7. Elements of the Crime: Burglary
ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS
• Breaking into the dwelling of
another during the nighttime
• Presumptive evidence
• Burden of proof on the defendant
Hess 13-7

8. Establishing the Severity of the Burglary
DETERMINATION
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
• Presence of dangerous devices in the burglar’s
possession
• Value of the property stolen
• Additional crime is separate and must be proven
separately
Hess 13-8

9. Elements of the Crime:
Possession of Burglary Tools
ELEMENTS
• An offense separate from burglary
TOOLS
• Nitroglycerin or other explosives
• Slam pullers
• Bump key
• Lock bumping
Hess 13-9

10. The Burglar
REPRESENTATION
• No set image
• Of all sizes, ages, races and occupations
• Either amateurs or longtime professionals
• Most burglars’ motives are monetary or drug related
Hess 13-10

11. Responding to a Burglary Call
RESPONSE
• Proceed to a burglary scene quietly
• Be observant and cautious
• Search the premises inside and outside
FALSE BURGLAR ALARMS
• Verified response policy
Hess 10-11

12. The Preliminary Investigation
OVERVIEW
• National clearance rate of less than 13 percent
• Perceived as being high-time investments
• Low-result rewards
• Show concern for victims
• Log articles with serial numbers into NCIC
Hess 13-12

13. The Preliminary Investigation
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES
• Middle- to upper-class preferred
• Corner homes
• See people approaching from a maximum of directions
• May knock on doors
• May call in advance
Hess 13-13

14. The Preliminary Investigation
COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES
• Contact the owner
• Protect the scene
• Establish the point and method of entry and exit
• Determine the type and amount of loss
• Determine who closed the establishment
• Describe the MO
Hess 13-14

15. The Preliminary Investigation
FAKE BURGLARIES
• Especially in commercial burglaries
• Owner appears to be in financial difficulty
• Check the owner’s financial status
• Combination safe jobs
Hess 13-15

16. Determining Entry into Structures
OVERVIEW
• Burglary is a crime of opportunity and concealment
• Entry is made in areas of a structure not normally
observed
• Jimmying
• Hit-and-run burglary
• Smash and grab
Hess 13-16

17. Determining Entry into Safes and Vaults
METHODS
• Punching
• Peeling
• Chopping
• Pulling or dragging
• Blowing
• Burning
Hess 13-17

18. Obtaining Physical Evidence
COMMON PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
• Fingerprints and footprints
• Tire prints, tools and tool marks
• Broken glass and paint chips
• Safe insulation
• Explosives residue
• Personal possessions
Hess 13-18

19. Modus Operandi Factors
IMPORTANCE
• Time
• Type of victim
• Type of premises
• Point and means of entry
• Type of property taken
• Peculiarities of the offense
Hess 13-19

20. Effective Case Management
OVERVIEW
• Profiling
• Mapping
• Computer’s search capabilities
• Recognize the mobility of burglars
• Make assignments on the MO
Hess 13-20

21. Recovering Stolen Property
LEADS FOR RECOVERY
• Pawnshops
• Secondhand stores
• Flea markets
• Online auction sites
• Informants
Hess 13-21

22. Offense of Receiving Stolen Goods
STOLEN PROPERTY
• Fence is a go-between who receives stolen goods
• Elements

Receiving, buying or concealing stolen or illegally
obtained goods

Knowing them to be stolen

Knowing them to be illegally obtained
Hess 13-22

23. Preventing Burglary
MEASURES
• Installing adequate locks, striker plates and door
frames
• Installing adequate lighting
• Providing clearly visible addresses
• Eliminating obstructions to windows
• Securing skylights
Continued
Hess 13-23

24. Preventing Burglary (Continued)
MEASURES
• Installing burglarproof sidelight window glass
• Installing burglar alarm
• Placing exterior burglar alarm signage
• Keeping dogs on premises
Hess 13-24

25. Summary
• Burglary is the unlawful entry of a structure to commit
a crime
• Burglars are covert, seeking to remain unseen
• Burglaries are classified as residential or commercial
• When responding to a burglary call, proceed to the
scene quietly
Hess 13-25