Someone Broke into My House and Took Nothing, Here is Why (2024)

FAQs

Why do people break in but not steal anything? ›

A burglar's goal is to get in and out of a property undetected, which means as fast as possible. Most US burglaries only last 10 minutes. Therefore, burglars are unlikely to steal any large or fitted appliances.

Sadly, repeat burglaries, including ones where the first incident failed, happen. Studies have shown that repeat burglaries are common, and they often take place soon after the first home invasion. A quarter of repeat burglaries took place just one week after the first, and over half took place within one month.

“Phrogging” (pronounced like “frogging”) is when someone secretly lives in another person's home without their knowledge. The name comes from the idea of leapfrog, with the intruder hopping from place to place like a frog—whether that be someone's basem*nt or attic or crawlspace.

Burglars are keen to work quickly, with the average burglary taking under 10 minutes. They are most likely to target smaller items that can be taken without drawing too much attention. So things like televisions are unlikely to be on their list, whereas tablets and jewellery are.

The average burglar takes less than a minute to break into your home and overall 8 to 12 minutes to get out again. In the first minute, the burglar lurks outside your property, looking for signs that there is no one there and assessing whether your house is a good target.

You may have already suspected it, but studies do confirm that burglars -- around 83% surveyed -- are scared off by signs that an alarm system is present, and one of the most straightforward is a literal sign or window sticker.

Victims. Street robbers search for victims who appear to have money or other valuables—for example, students and tourists. They also target people who appear to be the most vulnerable—like young adults using ATMs alone at night or under the influence of alcohol.

Yes, burglars can come back after a successful or failed burglary. According to a recent study by LegalJobs, 51% of all victims of burglary suffer a second burglary within one month of the original crime. Sadly, this means that repeat burglaries are likely to happen.

Burglary warning signs can be found on your house, in your yard, and sometimes even around the neighborhood. Burglars draw these marks on the front or back doors. Often you can see the drawings on the stairs or on your porch. Sometimes they might leave them on your driveway.

Where do thieves look for money in your house? ›

Aside from safes, drawers are also prime hunting spots. People tend to put cash, personal documents, and essential items within easy reach. It's best to invest in high-quality locked drawers to deter theft.

Burglars Do More Than Steal

At night, if you think you hear someone breaking in, leave safely if you can, then call the police. If you can't leave, lock yourself in a room with a phone and call the police. If an intruder is in your room, pretend you are asleep.

While we hope that no one tries to break into your home, a common tactic burglars use is to knock on someone's door to see if anyone is there before entering. However, even if someone isn't trying to break into your home, they could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which can be just as dangerous.

One thing you may not have realised is how easy it can be for criminals to “mark” your house – that is, they leave signs or symbols around the outside of your house to indicate where burglars can find entry points later on.

Homes in high-visibility places, like on corner lots, are far less likely to be broken into. There are simply too many potential ways to be seen. But townhomes, houses in the middle of the block, or houses in a cul-de-sac are much better targets.

Because it's so commonly used, burglars go all the way to the master's bedroom even though it can be far from the front or back door. The drawers, closets, and space under the bed are still quite lucrative for thieves looking for money and jewellery.

Most burglars are opportunists. Intruders often take advantage of an ideal situation in an attempt to make some quick money. Something as simple as a locked door can sometimes be enough to prevent a burglary from occurring.

If a break-in is going to take place at night, it's likely to be at or before midnight. Car theft, on the other hand, is more likely to happen at night than during the day. Between 2am and 5am are the most popular times for cars to be stolen. Cars parked on the street vs a garage are most vulnerable to being stolen.