What follows is information I have compiled that few people, including law enforcement agencies, crime-prevention experts, psychologists, and consultants have gotten first hand from the criminals who actually participate and commit “home invasions.” I met these people first hand while I was a professional jewel thief for over 12 years and again when I was incarcerated for 10 years in State and Federal prisons. My unique insight into the minds and motives of home invaders was learned (although home invasion was something I never participated in) through my one-on-one, relaxed conversations and at other times through group discussions with these “violent, sociopathic, and psychotic lunatics” over a 22 year period of time explained above. I was viewed as a man who could be trusted, another crook from a part of their world—while free as well as in prison. These guys knew my well respected, mafia-connected background and couldn’t wait to brag, as most criminals do, about their joyous wonderful experiences as home invaders. They spoke about the violent part of home invasion as if it were a “sexual experience.” At times it became a contest about who was the most violent. They treated the subject of “violence used” as their “claim to fame”—sort of their very own Red Badge of Courage.
The information that follows could very well keep you and your family safe but at least gives you an educational tool and insight into the type of criminal you’re dealing with should you become the victim of home invasion.
The three types of home invasion criminals and what motivates their behavior:
First: There’s the “crew” that are motivated primarily by financial reward. I use the appropriate term “crew” because 99% of the time a home invasion is committed by two or more creeps. One guy, or on a rare occasion, a woman stays in the get-away vehicle while the others enter their target—could be your home! Sooner or later there’s a chance it will be your home! This type wants your money and anything of value they find or can make you give them. These guys will resort to minor violence but only as a last resort. It’s all about the money for these guys.
Second: The next level are the home invaders, motivated by both the financial reward and the pleasure they get out of inflicting physical violence on you and your family so they can get all your valuables. I want to make my point without becoming gruesome. Here goes, if fear and intimidation fails, they will resort to the removal of one of your fingers to get your cooperation and get what they want—if necessary! I’m not saying this for shock value but to make you fully aware of the reality we’re all dealing with. It’s about the money and thrill/rush of committing physical violence for these guys. Getting the money and giving the violence are equal in importance with these animals.
Third: Violence, more violence, and nothing but violence is what it’s all about for these home invasion psychopaths. They don’t care about your money or anything of value in your home. Correction: They want your most valuable possessions—your family! These people target and break into your home for one purpose and one purpose only: to inflict the most humiliation and pain they possibly can on you and your entire family. They run the mental and physical torture gamut from beating you and your family to raping you and your family and finally the possibility of achieving their ultimate desire/rush/thrill: killing you and your family!
It’s very important to know the characteristics of the different types of home invaders mentioned above. I’d commit this information to memory if you live alone and/or have a family meeting, if that applies, and use the information as an educational experience on what to do, how to react, and options available depending on whether you feel Type 1, 2, or 3 has busted into your home and you’ve become a home invasion in progress. Once they have entered your home by force or deception it’s important to remain calm and analyze their behavior which will give you some insight on how to react to them which could very well keep all of you safe, unhurt, and continuing to enjoy life.
I sincerely apologize if what I’ve written today is offensive to your senses but without dealing with these realities and truth I’m not doing my job! I’m all about your safety and saving lives.
Next: Home Invasion Exposé Pt. 3: What Works, What Doesn’t, What Not to Do, and Prevention Survival Tips.
You can read Home Invasion Exposé Pt. 1 here: http://crimeprevention.crimereports.com/2009/12/16/home-invasion-expose-pt-1/
Stay safe.
George Feder is a former master jewel thief and former America’s Most Wanted Correspondent. Visit GeorgeFeder.com or follow him on Twitter (@GeorgeFeder) to go inside the criminal mind and get tips on how you can stay safe.
