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10 dumb hiding spots burglars always find

Under the mattress Burglars will make a beeline to the room with the most valuables. “The good stop is always going to be in the master bedroom,” says Chris McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM, president of <a href="http://www.crimedoctor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">McGoey Security Consulting.</a> “That’s where you have your clothes, your jewellery, your extra cash, your prescriptions – anything of value.” Hiding things under the mattress is one of the oldest tricks in the book, so a thief will likely check there for hidden treasures, he says. Bedroom closet A thief might rummage through your entire closet – pockets and all – looking for cash or other valuables. If you do decide to store valuables in your closet, leave them in a box purposely mislabelled with a boring name (think: “uni textbooks 1980” or “baby clothes”) to keep sticky fingers out, suggests McGoey. Dresser drawers While burglars are in your bedroom, a jewellery box on top of the dresser is a hot commodity. Even if you don’t store your jewellery in plain sight, a thief will probably hunt around in dresser drawers for a shoebox or other unique box that could be filled with watches, jewels, and other valuables, says Robert Siciliano, CSP, security analyst with <a href="https://www.hotspotshield.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hotspot Shield</a>. Instead of putting your high-value belongings in an obvious box, ball them up in a sock, he suggests. Pick a pair with a bright pattern that will stand out to you but won’t look fishy to a crook. Portable safe You probably want to keep your precious items locked away, but it won’t do much good if the safe isn’t attached to the floor or a wall. “If it’s closed and locked, it implies there are things of value in there,” says McGoey. “If it’s small and portable, they’ll take the whole thing.” On the other hand, burglars are generally trying to get in and out as quickly as possible. They won’t bother using a stethoscope to crack the combination, so a heavy safe they can’t lift is your best bet, he says. Medicine cabinet Robbers want to make quick cash off your belongings, so they’ll be sure to browse your medicine cabinet for prescription pills they can sell. The pills might not be a concern because you can get a refill easily, but be careful what you store nearby. “You want to avoid putting anything of significant value around medication of any kind,” says Siciliano. For instance, using an old pill container as a hiding spot for jewels could actually make them a target. Freezer If you’ve thought of the freezer as a sneaky hiding spot, chances are a robber has, too. A burglar won’t rummage through your entire stack of frozen peas and fish sticks, but if you leave your treasures in something out-of-place, such as a sock, the thief will be onto you. “If you’re going to put something in the freezer, you want to put it in with something that looks legit, like wrapping it in a bag that used to have blueberries in it,” says Siciliano. Use the same rule of thumb if hiding anything in a pantry. Just give a loved one a heads up so that if anything happens, your valuables won’t be trashed with the rest of your food. Office drawers Think twice before stashing important papers like birth certificates or passports in your office drawers. “People want to be convenient. They have a file labelled,” says McGoey. Unfortunately, that also means you’re leading burglars straight to everything they need to steal your identity. Use a locked drawer to keep sensitive data safe, recommends Siciliano. Vase An empty vase could act as a hiding place for valuables, but swindlers are onto your tricks. They’ll likely tip the vase over or even break it, hoping to find goods inside. “Have something additional in it, like flowers, that would obscure somebody looking in it,” he says. They’ll also be less likely to empty your vase if it means dropping flowers all over the floor. Liquor cabinet A liquor cabinet might not seem like an obvious spot for thieves to hunt for valuables, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. “It’s a target for kids looking for [alcohol],” says Siciliano. You might not be devastated if your whiskey goes missing, but you don’t want to lose an heirloom along with it. Suitcase Your luggage might seem like a waste of valuable storage space when you’re not travelling, but don’t keep anything irreplaceable inside. “Suitcases are common things people use as a safe even though it’s not a safe,” says McGoey. Criminals will open a suitcase up if they find one in your closet, he says. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/home-tips/10-hiding-spots-burglars-always-look-first" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Oh no you DIDN'T: Burglar breaks into home of boxing and rugby champ

Former Samoan international rugby and boxing star Lio Falaniko <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/burglar-picks-wrong-home-after-entering-former-samoan-heavyweight-boxing-rugby-stars-property/APAPH4CO2UDDYGZ7UHQ5ROZRWU/" target="_blank">has shared</a> his surprise encounter with a burglar - after the unidentified man attempted to break into his home. Falaniko was sitting in his underwear at his Perth home on December 28 and deciding which movie to watch on Netflix when the bizarre event unfolded. Speaking to Perth Now, the 51-year-old recalled how the burglar brazenly walked through his front door and headed towards the kitchen that afternoon - and what he did next. “I’d just got home from the shops and the dude just walked straight into my house,” he recalled. “There were so many things that went through my head … with my ability and skills as a former boxer, I could have punched him to the moon and back.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846778/240398722_1526032987742718_4294637066855466906_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/061ded385baf49108788c288486ba24b" /> Rugby and heavyweight boxing star Lio Falaniko had a shock encounter with a burglar who strolled into his home one afternoon. Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook) After the burglar realised the huge mistake he had made, he attempted to double back and sprint out the door. Unfortunately for him, Falaniko had already gotten to his feet, grabbing the robber by the neck and bringing him back into the house. Though the former rugby star was ready to have a go at the man, he decided against it. “But the guy was so small, I felt sorry for him and he’s lucky I was still in the Christmas spirit,” Falaniko said. “So I told him to f*** off before I called the ambulance for him and wished him a Happy New Year. “He looked like he’d seen a ghost and ran.” With both Falaniko and the burglar walking away unscathed, the sports star had an important lesson to share. “You should be careful whose house you walk into,” he said. Perth locals soon weighed in on the situation, with many praising Falaniko’s decision not to harm the burglar. “What an absolute champion of a human being,” one person said. “I would not have been as forgiving. However, well done to this fine example of a man,” another shared. Others poked fun at the burglar, with one person saying: “He probably ran home to change his pants”. Born in the Samoan capital of Apia, Falaniko went on to represent Samoa 21 times in international rugby between 1990 and 1999. From 1996 until 1999, he also played Super Rugby for the Otago Highlanders and Wellington Hurricanes. As for his boxing career, Falaniko fought in 10 professional heavyweight bouts between 2005 and 2011 in New Zealand and was undefeated. He now works as a personal trainer in Perth. Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook)

Legal

The most sought-after items on every burglar’s hit list

Jewellery When you hear the word burglar, you’re probably already envisioning a masked man with a burlap sack full of jewels in hand. As it happens, this archetype arose because jewellery is extremely easy to resell illegally. Security Awareness Expert Robert Siciliano says that it doesn’t even matter if your bling is authentic: “Burglars aren’t generally sifting through what’s real or fake until they get back to their evil lair,” he says. “They try to quickly get in and get out. But once they do, they can generally differentiate, and if they can’t, the pawnshop where they go can make the determination.” Your AI assistants “Your electronics are another prime target,” says home security expert Christina Mullen. “When it comes to electronics and appliances, the burglar is going to take the most accessible items. They do not want to spend more time trying to take an appliance that is mounted on the wall, hard to reach or hidden items.” Mullen says that burglars tend to like small yet expensive devices such as AI Assistants, like Alexa-enabled devices and Google Homes. Cash Maybe switching to credit or debit cards is the right idea – burglars love to sift through your drawers and purses for cold, hard cash. Unlike traceable debit and credit cards, once it’s gone, cash can’t be cancelled or found again. In addition, cash loss can be hard to prove to insurers, especially when excessive amounts are stolen. Prescription drugs Although the most popular items burglars are looking to steal are cash, jewellery and electronics, prescription drugs have become valuable, says investigator Patricia Vercillo. “If not for personal use, the burglar won’t have a hard time selling them on the street, which can make for a dangerous situation.” She recommends that homeowners dispose of old, leftover or expired medications so that they do not become a victim of this kind of theft. Unmounted TVs and other electronics Your child’s new Switch? Your PS4? These cutting-edge gaming consoles are sleek, powerful, and most of all, extremely portable. These two items – which could fit cosily in a briefcase – are high-cost and low-density, making them the perfect steal for any home invader. Thieves also love to steal TVs, but only unmounted ones. “Remember, convenience is key,” says Mullen. “If your TV is mounted on the wall and bolted in, it’s no longer an easy target and is less likely to get stolen.” Power tools Mullen notes that some of the least expected items might go missing in a robbery. “You wouldn’t expect the power tools in your shed to be a target, but they’re decently valued and easily re-sold…even kitchen appliances can fall victim to the burglar’s sweep of your house.” To prevent this theft, smart homeowners should check that they’ve locked their outdoor sheds and aren’t leaving their cars – which often contain garage door-opening remotes – unlocked overnight. Personal information Your burglar might just be someone you know. In more than half of all offences, the perpetrator is someone that homeowners know or trust. “What they steal may have more to do with their disdain of the homeowners,” says Leonard Sipes. “I know of a case where a laptop was stolen just to pry into the lives of the occupant.” According to Sipes, the homeowner’s dogs were also present at the scene of the crime, but the thief simply fed the dogs because they recognised him. Your safe isn't safe Safes and strongboxes aren’t guaranteed to protect your valuables, especially if they’re light, small or not installed in a wall. “Keep a small safe under your bed? They’ll probably check, and they just might carry the whole thing with them,” says Mullen. If you’re looking into buying a safe, remember that some new electronic safes can be hacked, and old-fashioned safes can be cracked open with enough force – finding a better hiding place might be the key. Scrap metal According to Dr Ben Stickle, scrap metal is a valuable material to home intruders. Since metals such as copper are valuable and can be easily resold, Dr Stickle says that scrap metal thieves target “air conditioners, hot water heaters, electrical cables, plumbing materials, and more.” Burglars will target homes under construction, but they don’t always stop there. “Be careful who you let work on your home,” says Stickle. “Many metal thieves had current or past experience as roofers, plumbers, electricians…and would often return after seeing items of metal that were valuable.” Kitchen appliances Do you love your NutriBullet? Your electric mixer? Your slow cooker or your Soda Stream? Well, so do thieves. These items can be re-sold and will easily fit into a duffel bag. “Even kitchen appliances can fall victim to the burglar’s sweep of your house,” says Mullen. Some thieves have even been known to steal refrigerators and stoves because of their expensive market prices, but it’s far harder to make a stealthy get-away with a stainless-steel fridge. Your old iPod Nervous thieves aren’t picky, and whatever’s visible is fair game. “[Thieves] won’t spend their time looking for specific items that are in-vogue – you’d be surprised at some of the low-profile items that get stolen, like corded headphones or even an iPod,” Mullen says. Most thieves are just trying to be speedy, but we like to think that some are into vintage tech, or just left their earphones at home. Written by Dani Walpole. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/home-tips/the-most-sought-after-items-on-every-burglars-hit-list" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Money & Banking

5 ways to outsmart a burglar

From burglars’ mouths to your ears: Here are the vulnerabilities they look for when they’re deciding whether to rob you blind. 1. Keep a car parked in your driveway The investigative team at the Portland 24-hour news station KGW conducted an anonymous survey of 86 inmates incarcerated for burglary in a state prison, and almost all of the burglars surveyed said they’d think twice if they saw a car in a driveway. 2. Keep your doors and windows locked Yes, this seems obvious. Yet a lot of people actually forget to lock their doors and windows. Most burglars KGW surveyed said they tended to “break in” simply by walking through an unlocked door or climbing through an unlocked window. 3. Consider making your door kick-proof Some of the burglars surveyed by KGW said they’d be willing to kick in a locked door. It’s actually not difficult to kick in a door. 4. Don’t ignore a knock on the door Every burglar surveyed by KGW reports knocking on the front door before breaking into a home; if someone answers the door, the burglar makes up an excuse and moves on. You don’t have to open the door for the person, but definitely let the person know you’re home – you just might thwart a burglary. 5. Prune those shrubs Burglars value their privacy while they’re breaking and entering. Theoretically, if every house on a particular block seemed empty, a burglar would still choose to target the house that offers the most privacy. To deter would-be burglars, keep the shrubs around your house well-trimmed. Written by Lauren Cahn. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/im-a-burglar-heres-how-to-outsmart-me">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Technology

Canberra café surprises burglar with hilarious note

The staff at Niugini Arabica in Canberra had the last laugh after leaving a note inside their cash register after repeat burglaries. The café has been targeted before, so knowing that thieves would return to their shop, staff took the cash from the register before locking up for the day and replaced it with post-it-notes that read, “HAHA No Money” and “F**k you”. On March 20, the thieves returned with security footage showing three men wearing hoods break the glass before entering and rummaging through the store. The thieves found the cash register open with the notes and then left with a couple bags of coffee beans and a mobile phone. “Apart from stealing the work mobile phone, the thieves managed to walk right past the tip jar and get away with 2kg of our finest single origin roasted beans,” staff shared. “At least they have great taste in coffee.” Last Tuesday, the ACT Police attended the café and investigations are ongoing. It is not the first time Niugini Arabica enjoyed outsmarting thieves. On a previous occasion, a man used an axe to break in but only left with a first-aid bandage. The CCTV footage of the break in was paired with the Benny Hill soundtrack and commentary from owner Theodore Levantis’ son, who used it for a school assignment. <iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X35MFUG8Law?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

Insurance

Three pensioners take down burglar in dramatic video

A trio of pensioners have tackled a thief to the ground when they caught him trying to steal jewellery from a dead woman’s home. The burglar Stephen Ward, who police have been trying to catch for 18 months, was stopped by the crime-fighting senior trio who have a combined age of 229 years. The Mirror report that Peter Mueller, 70, from Germany, was visiting his deceased mother-in-law’s home in Derby, UK, with friends when he spotted Ward with a bag of jewellery. Peter, along with Adly Gorrafa, 81, and Sheila Gorrafa, 78, tackled the burglar to the ground and held his face on the floor while neighbours called Derbyshire Police. A police officer’s body camera captures the pensioners holding down Ward before police handcuff Ward. Peter says he was "full of adrenaline" when they took he burglar to the ground. “I took one leg of his so he fell down, and all three of us got on his body and held him," he said. "We cried to the neighbours to call the police." “I’m 70 years old and the other two people were 78 and 81. With our weight, he had no chance to escape.” Derbyshire Police Chief Constable Mick Creedon gave the trio bravery awards for the incredible citizens' arrest. “We give these commendations out but we don’t give them out lightly,” adding that it was a “remarkable event and came at some risk”. "Without their help we wouldn’t have caught this man,” he said. Ward was jailed for 27 months for a number of burglaries across Derbyshire. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/08/common-myths-about-retirement/">6 myths about life after retirement</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/08/perks-of-getting-older/">8 perks of getting older you might not know about</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/07/yazemeenah-rossi-60-year-old-model/">Meet the 60-year-old model disrupting ageing</a>

News

Granny scares off burglar with martial arts sword

A 67-year-old granny from Perth in Australia has chased a burglar out of her home with a Japanese sword. The “white-haired granny”, who is trained in Chinese marital arts and practised tai chi for the last 15 years, told Perth Now how she had fallen asleep on her coach when a broke into her home at around 11pm on Tuesday. When the she woke to the sound of the burglar rifling through her drawers, she unsheathed her sword and chased him out of her home. The grandmother-of-11, who did not want to be identified, told the paper, “I’ve never seen someone so scared by an old, white-haired granny.” She added, “The Japanese sword was the first sword I got so I grabbed that — I wasn’t into semantics at that point.” The tiny grandma, who stands at just 153 centimetre tall, even chased after the intruder when she discovered her mobile phone, laptop, tablet and car keys were missing. With her sword in tow, she confronted the burglar who was trying to escape in her car. “He couldn’t go anywhere because he was trying to get his feet on the car pedals. I had the seat pulled right forward because I’m so short,” she said. “I told him with some colourful language to get out of my car, but he ended up getting out of that car quick because I pulled him. “He came back twice saying he was going to kill me. I chased him up the driveway and asked him, ‘Who do you think has the sword in their hand?’” Police soon arrived at the scene after neighbours reported yelling, and the gutsy granny was able to retrieve all her belongings. The police investigation is still ongoing. Photo source: Ross Swanborough/<a href="http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/perth-grandmother-chased-burglar-with-japanese-sword/news-story/775fb1ff4c553cf9a2e30a3215461022#load-story-comments" target="_blank">Perth Now</a> Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/98-year-old-great-grandmother-plays-piano-nashville/">98-year-old granny blows audience away with piano performance</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/95-year-old-grandma-beautiful-flower-girl/">95-year-old grandmother makes beautiful flower girl</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/grandmother-lifts-100kg/">78-year-old grandmother lifts weights like a pro athlete</a>

Retirement Life

“Cat burglar” caught stealing dozens of underwear

Brigit, a six-year-old Tonkinese cat, has been caught stealing more than 11 pairs of boxers and 50 pairs of socks since January this year. The kleptomaniac kitty's owner, Sarah Nathan, photographed her cat’s theft to publicly shame her on the internet. Judging by the photo, this cat certainly has a problem. New Zealander Sarah says that her cat has always been quite the thief – Tonkinese cats are nocturnal hunters – but has developed quite particular taste of late. “She was much less discerning, now she’s decided menswear is the thing, and it’s a very specific kind of underpants that she likes,” Sarah said. Brigit also prefers matching socks. "One will be at the front door and one will be at the back door – so she's obviously gone back to get the matching sock," Sarah said. Neighbours are notified of the burglary by notes in the letterbox, but as Sarah is moving house soon, she hopes Brigit will find some new, more legal interests. “Hopefully there’s something there she can find to catch, but if not we may have to stash some undies around the farm to keep her stimulated," Sarah laughed. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/interspecies-animal-friendships/">15 unlikely friendships that will melt your heart</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/funny-dog-snapchats/">11 funny snapchat pictures that only dog lovers appreciate</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/10/why-dogs-so-happy-to-see-you/">The science behind dogs being so happy to see you</a>

News

7 cat burglars who were caught red-pawed with their stolen stash

These cat burglars have spent months adding to their secret stash but the game is finally up – those pesky humans have discovered the stolen goods. While the owners have confronted their cats, in typical feline fashion, they don’t seem too perturbed. We bet they’re working on the next hiding spot. <img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7480/1_499x665.jpg" alt="1 (22)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> <img width="500" height="585" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7482/2_500x585.jpg" alt="2 (25)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> <img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7483/3_500x333.jpg" alt="3 (20)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> <img width="499" height="374" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7484/4_499x374.jpg" alt="4 (20)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> <img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7485/5_500x500.jpg" alt="5 (18)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> <img width="500" height="890" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7486/6_500x890.jpg" alt="6 (16)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> <img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7487/7_499x665.jpg" alt="7 (17)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/>

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10 dumb hiding spots burglars always find

Oh no you DIDN'T: Burglar breaks into home of boxing and rugby champ

The most sought-after items on every burglar’s hit list

5 ways to outsmart a burglar

Canberra café surprises burglar with hilarious note

Three pensioners take down burglar in dramatic video

Granny scares off burglar with martial arts sword

“Cat burglar” caught stealing dozens of underwear

7 cat burglars who were caught red-pawed with their stolen stash