You are investigating a burglary and have been given a description of a possible suspect. Your witness has advised you that they saw a male, approximately 15–18 years of age, leaving a residence

Question

As an investigator you know that there are two typologies for burglars of this age. Name and discuss both.

Answer 1

The Young Amateur Burglar: This type of offender is usually in their late teens to early twenties and is often associated with a semiprofessional or professional burglar. In many respects, they are learning the trade to eventually become a professional who makes a living from committing burglaries. Older street gang members who are actively committing burglaries often enlist younger gang members as apprentices to perform break-ins for them. This is because the punishments for juveniles caught committing burglary are far less severe than those for an adult. The Juvenile Amateur Burglar: These offenders are 16 years of age or less. They commit daytime burglaries for the most part, usually after school or on school holidays. They primarily enter through unlocked doors and windows, or perhaps with a key taken from the premises while visiting another adolescent who resides at the burglarized premises. Often, adolescent burglars operate in groups to target property of personal interest such as computers, cell phones, electronic games, CD/ DVD players, and iPods. They also steal alcoholic beverages from refrigerators and other storage locations as well as prescription drugs from medicine cabinets. Juvenile burglars usually live close to the locations they victimize and either use or store stolen items at their home.