What Is a Cat Burglar: Understanding This Common Phrase

When you hear the term “cat burglar,” it’s easy to picture a stealthy movie character maneuvering to get past a grid of lasers to steal the film’s epic diamond. While these Hollywood tropes may sound like fiction, they’re inspired by a real type of thief.

Chances are, you’ve heard of a cat burglar at least once in your lifetime. In general, a cat burglar is a thief who intrudes into homes to steal personal property, getting their name from the idea that cats can be quiet and sneaky. Cat burglars are, in essence, thieves who can break into a home without being noticed. These burglars can steal valuables from a home without the victim becoming aware of what has happened until later.

Definition of a Cat Burglar

A cat burglar is a thief who secretly gains unauthorized access to a property to steal items of value; however, an individual does not have to use force to gain entry.

Historically, the term “cat burglar” was coined for individuals that climb through an open second-story window with agility like a cat. If a cat burglar slips through an open window or door, this is still viewed as breaking and entering.

These individuals intend to vandalize or steal, but even if they are unsuccessful in their attempt, they are still considered cat burglars.

Stealth is Required for Cat Burglary

If someone steals an ATM by smashing a vehicle through the window of a convenience store, the individual, while still being a thief, is not a cat burglar. A group of adolescents who break into an empty house to party, steal, and vandalize property while it is unoccupied, are technically vandals and burglars, but they are not considered cat burglars. In both examples, these individuals lack the stealth and quietness required to be a cat burglar.

What is the difference between a burglar and a cat burglar?

When someone tries to imagine a burglar, it is a common mistake that burglars are the same type of criminal as a cat burglar, but they are not one and the same. The truth is that a burglar and cat burglar are two different types of thieves. Here are a few distinctions:

• A thief is an individual who steals another person’s property.

• A burglar is anyone who illegally enters a restricted building without authorization.

• A cat burglar may or may not enter a building illegally. They do have intent to steal but make every attempt to go undetected for the duration of their crime.

As stated above, a thief is an individual who steals anything. By this broad definition, this includes purse-snatchers, pickpockets, cyber criminals, burglars, and robbers.

Robbers are known to use force or threats to steal from an individual or an establishment. While robbers are not afraid to confront their victims, burglars try to avoid their victims. Cat burglars prefer to steal property when the owners of the property are absent, and they will take advantage of their housebreaking skills or athletic prowess to break into a home and steal while avoiding detection.

Layered Security Against Trespassers, Burglars, and Robbers

When taking the necessary precautions to protect your home against thieves, you should consider the different types of burglars and the different tactics that they rely on. This will allow you to take a layered approach to securing your property.

The first step to securing your property is to lock all entrances, including entrances that may seem to be out of reach. This can help reduce crimes of opportunity involving illegal entry into your home.

Be careful about leaving a spare key. A cat burglar may use that spare key you think is well hidden above the doorframe, under the door mat, or in a fake rock near the entrance. A professional thief is likely to have seen numerous ways of stashing a spare key. A better alternative is to use smart locks that can be unlocked using a code that only you know. This way, you can control access to your property even when a key has been lost.

Another layer of protection against illegal entry is an alarm system with door and window sensors. While every point of entry can be locked, tools may be used to bypass or break a lock. With an armed home security system, an alarm can be triggered when a sensor detects one of these is opened. Modern security systems can send you a notification directly to your cell phone, and a professionally monitored home security system can result in police quickly responding to the situation.

For instances in which a burglar tries to bypass these sensors by breaking a window instead of opening it, there are also glassbreak sensors. For movement that occurs within the house while it is armed in “away” mode, there are also motion sensors; security cameras work well in place of motion sensors, even identifying specifically if a person has entered the space being monitored. Having security cameras also work great for gathering evidence, such as if you capture someone casing your property.

If you’re ready to discuss home security systems that offer 24/7 professional monitoring, all the features mentioned above, and much more, call Brinks Home™ today to speak with a Security Consultant.