Things to learn from a news story on burglary

[Jeff White]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/ne...D8C39332915EE6C3862575CB00557F85?OpenDocument

Prolific burglars in Maryland Heights had gun, 'Scream' mask
By Kim Bell
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/04/2009

MARYLAND HEIGHTS -- Police have broken up a brazen band of daytime burglars, a team of four men who carried a handgun and may have worn masks while hauling jewelry, guns and electronics equipment from apartments in Maryland Heights and west St. Louis County.

One disguise confiscated by cops: A ghoulish "Scream" black mask with ghost face, inspired by the Edvard Munch painting.


Maryland Heights police say their big break came Tuesday. A resident of an apartment complex had seen a flier posted by the complex manager about the string of burglaries. The resident saw something he thought was suspicious and called police. That led to the arrests of the four men from St. Louis who were charged on Wednesday in St. Louis County.

The four men jailed are:

* Anthony Gibson, 20, of the 5400 block of Arlington Avenue in St. Louis.
*Jermaine Hayes, 24, of the 4700 block of Lewis Place in St. Louis.
* Anthony Wilbourn, 19, of the 100 block of Neville Walk in St. Louis.
* Eric Dunn, 20, of the 9800 block of Lilac Drive in St. Louis.

Gibson, Hayes and Wilbourn were each charged with three counts of second-degree burglary and three counts of felony stealing. Dunn was charged with one count of each. More charges are expected.

Maryland Heights Police Capt. Scott Will, commander of the detective bureau, said police believe the men are responsible for at least 20 burglaries in apartment complexes in Maryland Heights and other cities in the last three or four weeks. Police from at least three other cities in St. Louis County have identified some of the recovered property as coming from burglaries in their towns, as well, Will said.

The burglars worked during the day, thinking most people would be at work. They knocked on apartment doors to try to find the apartments where no one was home. If someone did answer, the men would pretend to be looking for a friend or make up some other ruse about why they were there.

They told police they brought a weapon along (a stolen handgun) and were ready to use it if they were interrupted by someone, Will said.

"Although they've been charged with property crimes, these four are certainly dangerous," Will said. "They were armed and made it very clear they were prepared to use a gun if need be."

In addition to the Scream mask, police found two ski masks in the men's gear.

"The masks are of interest to us because you don't ordinarily carry a Scream mask, a halloween mask, around with you in June," Will said.
Police found these masks with the men's gear.


Police recovered several dozen pieces of stolen property, including big screen TVs, laptops, guns and jewelry. The thieves even tried to sell some of the equipment on Craigslist, police say.

Bond for Gibson, Hayes and Wilbourn was set at $30,000 each. Bond for Dunn was $15,000.

[email protected] 314-340-8115

This is a typical MO, except the part about the burglars carrying the masks and being armed. Sounds like they were getting ready to graduate to home invasion robberies.

What can we learn from this?

Locks, alarms.....What about confronting burglars?

 

[bratch]

Another reminder not to expect a 1 on 1 conflict.

I wonder if they avioded houses that had dogs barking inside?

 

[Stirling XD]

I don't think I was anything new here.

1. They struck in the middle of the day when most people are at work. Nothing new.

2. They had masks, but didn't wear them. A ski mask is a red flag just about everyone even in cold climates. Nothing new.

3. They knocked before breaking in. Nothing new.

4. While they weren't looking for a confrontation, they were armed just in case. Nothing new.

5. The gun they had was not purchased at a sporting goods store, guns store or gun show it was stolen. Nothing new.

6. Despite the fact they were ready to use deadly force if they were interrupted, their bond wasn't set that high. Nothing new.

While this analysis may be shocking to some people, it's old news to most of us here. The only thing out of the ordinary was the fact that the police actually recovered stolen merchandise. I'm not bashing the police, I just know that it's a rare occurrence.

 

[xXxplosive]

StirlingXD.............Right there on everything....good summation.

 

[LightningJoe]

The only thing here is the problem of dealing with a mixed group of armed and unarmed BGs. I suppose that legally, they're all on one side and that side is armed. But determining that their side is armed might be harder if you're distracted by the three unarmed guys. Just because most of them are unarmed doesn't mean they all are.

 

[SWDoc]

Joe,

My (possibly imperfect) understanding is that when confronted by a group of people, if deadly force is justified, they all share the risk, and can be addressed in any order. When you get down to the last guy, same old rules apply as to whether lethal force is justified, as you are no longer outnumbered.

Steve

 

[Jeff White]

2. They had masks, but didn't wear them. A ski mask is a red flag just about everyone even in cold climates. Nothing new.

It's not the typical daytime burglar at all. Very new in trends for burglary.

4. While they weren't looking for a confrontation, they were armed just in case. Nothing new.

Again this is new. The average daytime burglar is unarmed and prefers escape to confrontation.

While this analysis may be shocking to some people, it's old news to most of us here. The only thing out of the ordinary was the fact that the police actually recovered stolen merchandise. I'm not bashing the police, I just know that it's a rare occurrence.

You analysis is only about halfway right. Daytime burglars seldom carry disguises or weapons, and believe it or not when a burglary ring like this is shut down a lot of property is usually recovered.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Most of the ones I recall were in the apartment complex by daytime I once lived in. If anything was going to happen with people unknown knocking on MY door, it will be in daylight hours.

I was a night runner then in those days and was able to pick up alot of potential situations during the day when people tried my door. Eventually a large shepard took care of that little issue pernamently followed by a new home several states away.

I see nothing new here either. Everything listed so far is pointed towards catching unwary and unready people in thier homes or none at all in the units.

In those days it's so easy to sit in lot for a few hours and monitor comes and goes and figure out who is in which unit. Eventually several sits over a few weeks will generate a matrix sufficent to work off of when attempting a hit.