Burglars have little problem prying open window screens with crowbars, and if they have to they will break windows, he said. Burglars will get to know neighbors to see when they go vacationing, and will resort to getting jobs as a paper delivery boy or mower of lawns to inform themselves, they said. In a rural area with large lot sizes they may introduce themselves at the front door to see what people possess. Burglars have different styles, they said. He said he wasn't beneath stealing wrapped Christmas presents.
Some burglars even rob to get guns.
When a burglar needs a car, he goes to the gas station and picks out one that's unattended with the keys inside. With Crimestoppers signs and those that say a security company is monitoring the site, it's hit and miss, both men said. Sometimes they don't take them seriously. However, Ben said that once he saw a security company sign that said 911 would automatically be called if an alarm was triggered. Both former burglars recommended staying calm if encountering a burglar in your house, rather than screaming, throwing something or even flinching.