Window smashing with a shovel? We’re happy to report to KNIX and iHeartRadio that your boy, our boy, Ben Campbell is certifiably NOT a home burglar… in spite of the evidence to the contrary. See below.
There’s nothing to see here, right Ben?
Ben Campbell’s doppelgänger caught by security cameras during attempted burglary
Kids’ windows. At Black Hat Security everyday we help Arizona families to avoid the unthinkable. Peoples’ break-in stories break our hearts. Obviously, there’s nothing “funny” about security. One of the unique things that we do at Black Hat Security is that we test our equipment. We let our Service Pros test each other to see who can secure a home the best given the customer’s needs and budget. We let them break glass, drop through ceilings, cut power, pop locks, break doors, cut phone lines, etc… You name it, and our guys are testing it.
Black Hat Security testing popular, and not so popular, methods of breaking into a home.
One of the the things that we really focus on is child security. Many of our clients share the same fear of a child’s window being open or insecure on the other side of the house. There are several ways to secure a window, and experienced criminals know them.
Window sensors operate with magnets. The magnets are separated when opned and a signal is sent to the system. This works great when someone actually opens the window.
Glass Break Sensors are set to respond to certain sound frequencies. Breaking glass sets it off. Experienced burglars can spot a sensor. So to avoid the sensor they simply break the glass and leave the frame in place. The downside of breaking a window though is that the burglar doesn’t want to get cut while climbing into the house. If they can avoid breaking glass, they will. Black Hat Security works with clients to strategically place sensors and glass breaks appropriately to decrease the risk of undetected entry through a window.
Jan 11 2017 another burglar tries to force entry through an unlocked window.
The Orange County Register article details a smash and grab scheme targeting LA’s rich and famous.
Ben Campbell was busted with the glass break that was set to guard the long windows in the great room and kitchen.
You’ll notice that it took a few hits for the glass break to sound. This is intentional. A glass break sensor in the kitchen will be exposed to all sorts of clanking glass, dropped dishes, and other high pitched noises. So our technician chose to decrease the sensitivity of the sensor in this case.
Ben was a great sport. Obviously, smashing a window is a little unnatural. But the reality of the situation is that burglars are desperate and often creative. As burglars change, so does Black Hat Security technology. We’re here for you.
Here it is. Black Hat secured an Arizona home and paid him to try and break into it. (He could make a lot more if he did it successfully). Just before the attempt, he mentioned that his favorite move was to go for the power box. (Watch him call his shot in the video).
The would-be burglar was a relative’s friend’s associate (enough separation?). His name is Red.
“Red” has bounced in and out of jail his entire life. He is currently wanted in California on three non-extraditable felonies.
He showed up with wire-cutters in his back pocket.
Red cased the joint the moment he hopped out of the Uber in front of the Mesa home.
Prior to his break in attempt, we wanted to get to know Red. Talking to former (hopefully) criminals helps our technicians and research team understand what is happening right now on the neighborhood streets of Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, Chandler, Tempe, etc…
Red told us that he likes to go to the power box first, kill the power. Then he cuts the wires, touches them together and blows the circuitry. Yikes! That could really mess up a home… Luckily, one of the inexpensive features we were testing that day was the Power Box Sensor. What? Yep, that’s a thing. Black Hat Security offers the power box sensor. Our research showed us that burglars in Phoenix believe that breaking into a power box and shutting off the power with kill the security system. Wrong.
Here’s the thing though, the Power Box sensor was just providing an extra layer of protection. You see, every Black Hat Security system that is activated is also programmed to sound the alarm and alert the police the moment the power goes out.
*…and our system has a battery-back up, that’s how it can sound the alarm even after power is cut.
Does that mean the cops will deploy every time the power goes out? Nope.
Here’s how it goes down when your power is cut.
Within seconds we alert you on your cell phone via text. We will also call you over the intercom of your touchscreen, 2GIG, panel. If you sense danger, we deploy the police immediately. If not, we are happy to stand by while you get things checked out.
In the case of poor Red, the alarm blared the moment he lifted the cover of the power box- because of the sensor. You’ll notice in the video though, that he was moving so fast that he had already turned off power and was reaching for the wires. He stopped short though. The text alert on the homeowner’s iPhone helped us break the news to Red that he had set off the alarm within 20 seconds of even starting.
Data show that when an alarm sounds during an attempted break in, the would-be burglar leaves faster and takes less. Red confirmed that when an alarm sounds, if he’s in the house, he grabs and runs. If he’s outside, he just runs.
So while we can’t keep someone from kicking in a door, turning off the power, or breaking a window… We CAN make sure they know it was a big mistake, that the cops are on their way, and that we probably have their picture (if the home was armed with cameras).
Since Red Ubered all the way from Phoenix for the chance to break in, we told him we’d give him another crack at it. We gave him 15 minutes to figure something out. After getting stuck in the doggy door and being spooked by Black Hat window stickers, Red decided to break the aging French doors that lead to the master bedroom. Sorry, Red. The moment the door opened, the door sensor got him. And even if it hadn’t, Red wouldn’t have gotten far. This Mesa home owner opted for a couple motion detectors in her home. One was in the master bedroom, because common sense and research both show that people keep their jewelry, extra cash, and guns in the master bedroom. There are often external entry points to the master bedroom too, making it a little more vulnerable.
You can see on the video that Red is a little frustrated, and rightfully so. His job used to be a lot easier. But thanks for playing, Red.
Sorry, not sorry.
