One Of America’s Most Prolific Burglars Gives Incredible Insight Into How To Protect Your House From Thieves Like Him

Hacks 4/9/24

The thought of someone breaking into your house is sickening. Imagine a stranger wandering around YOUR home picking up YOUR valuables. As homeowners, we want to know what the burglar is thinking, and the best way to protect ourselves and our families.

It's nearly impossible to know what a thief is thinking unless you are one. For nearly 20 years, Michael Shayne Durden burglarized and ruined people's homes and lives around Dallas and Collin counties. He sat down for a jailhouse interview and reveals everything about what his perfect home to break into looks like and what you can do to stop it.

Michael Shayne Durden

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Michael Shayne Durden is in prison for his criminal past, incarcerated in 2015 for breaking into a house and stealing thousands of dollars worth of property.

But now he's trying to make it right, but making it his mission from jail to ensure that every property owner knows how to protect their home to the best of their ability.

He Feels Guilty

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I guess it's taken a few years in jail for Durden to reflect on his life. He realizes that he's done more harm than good and wants to try to be a positive force from behind bars.

He says that the pain he feels behind bars comes from finally being sober for a long period of time. The information that he gives in this interview is stunningly effective and gives us a perspective like never before.

It Starts With The Neighborhood

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Durden says that when he's in the planning stages of looking for a new house to rob, he looks for specific neighborhoods.

If you live in a middle-class community, you could be in luck. He says that if you're a serial thief, you're probably going to be targeting houses that cost a lot of money. This is common sense. Where there's a lot of money, there's a lot of disposable income.

Looking For Fences

Photo Credit: Twitter / @Triborofence

He says in the interview, "from my perspective, you look for families with a certain socio-economic status. With money comes disposable income, which for me means that they'll probably have jewelry and cash laying around."

He says that he's looking for well-kept homes, specifically with nice fences. They aren't cheap. If you can afford a $10,000 fence, the inside of your home is probably packing some goodies that a burglar is going to like.

What Keeps Him From Going To A House?

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I know what you're probably thinking he said, but let me tell you, it's not just a security system. A lot of big houses have security systems.

It's so easy to go beside a house and cut the wiring so that there's no electricity flowing into the house at all. Durden says that there are now wireless cameras that help to protect from being able to be turned off, which is something to look into.

Too Much Effort

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He says that to beat the wireless system is nearly impossible. It's a lot of effort for a burglar to have the tools to beat that camera. The effort alone would be enough to drive most burglars to the next house.

Durden says that letting someone know (by putting it on your front door) that you have a wireless security system is a big step to deterring any potential burglars.

What About Dogs?

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When asked about dogs being a deterrent, Durden says that sometimes they can be but not always. He says that a big mistake people make is assuming that their dog is going to automatically attack someone.

That isn't the case most of the time. He says that another big mistake is having a huge glass window near the front door that allows people to basically see everything inside of your house.

The Dog Will Look For Other People

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He says that good burglars will use dogs to their advantage. Dogs know that they aren't the alpha of the house. Durden says that he would go to the front door, knock, and wait to see how the dog reacts.

The dog will always look to go get someone else to open the door. If the dog goes to look for someone, that usually means that there's a person home.

Not The Deterrent You Thought They Were

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Durden says that small dogs aren't a deterrent, no matter how aggressive they are. If there was a big dog, he would stick his hand to the front door window to see how the dog would react.

He would always carry spray around with him that could paralyze an aggressive dog for the amount of time he would need to grab and go. All in all, dogs might not be the big house protectors you may have thought they were.

The Nosy Neighbor

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Durden says that an active neighborhood matters. He can't count the number of times that he entered a neighborhood to scout it out, and saw a consistent amount of people walking and talking on front lawns.

He event went as far as to applaud the Neighborhood Watch program which actually works to deter potential burglaries. The thought of being confronted by a neighbor is the worst case scenario for a burglar.

Get To Know Routines

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It's important to get to know your neighbors, and let your neighbors know you. Yes, sometimes they're annoying, but they can be the difference maker if anything were to go wrong.

You should know their routine, and they should know yours. That makes it easier to spot anything weird going on in the other yard. Confrontations, or even activity near a house, will almost always be enough to keep away the thieves.

Thief Vs Home Invader

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"I'm not a home invader. I don't go into houses to tie people up and steal things. I'm a thief. I'm not proud to say that. I don't want to come in contact with anyone, especially someone who can later identify me."

It may seem weird, but sometimes your best defense against someone breaking into your house is the merit of the people that surround it. The reality is, you can't be home all the time.

What Is It About The House?

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This is where it starts to get very interesting. Durden talks about what is the initial draw to a house. He says if you go into a poor neighborhood and the yard isn't well-kept, he thinks that they don't have the money for the up-keep. That'll turn him away immediately.

But, if he goes to a nice neighborhood and the yard is unkept, that's usually a tell-tale sign that the family is gone.

The Trash-Teller

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If you're going on vacation, it's imperative that you have your neighbors get your mail. One of the biggest signs that someone is gone from their house is a clogged mailbox.

Durden also lays out that many burglars will stroll around on trash day. If you don't have your trash out on the front lawn, it probably means you're not home. These break-ins are very well thought out and calculated.

Hidden Scout

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Durden would scout his houses on foot. This allowed him to be more precise and less sketchy. He would mask himself as a jogger so that he would have an alibi in case he got questioned by someone.

He would park his car one mile away from the house because he knew that it would only take him a few minutes to get to his vehicle after he broke into a house.

Front Of The House

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When asked about what he looks for in the front of a house, he mentioned visual pathways. I had talked about it before in this article, but he means windows and views into the home.

He wants to be able to see if there are any lights on in the home. If he notices that the lights aren't on, he'll walk up to the front of the home and knock on the door.

Looking For The Shadow

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He'll knock and knock and knock to make sure that no one is home, to the point that he would even annoy himself.

He looks for shadows and reflections from people who could be in the home, but afraid to go to the door. Durden says that it's important to keep a light on even if you're not home. But, don't put the light on in the front room. It's too obvious.

Keep The Light On

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He says that you need to put the light on in the center of your home, like in the living room or some other room where people could conjugate.

You shouldn't want the light to be easily seen, because that usually means someone is lingering in that room. Even if he doesn't see a shadow from the center room, it will still make him weary as to whether he should go in or not.

Look Into Buying A Timer

Twitter / @silent_clock

Durden says that you can buy timers which are huge deterrents. They're pretty cheap, but could help you get rid of a potential burglar.

The timers can turn on lights every thirty minutes, or even turn on stereos. Most thieves have scouted out your home at least a few hours before they enter. So, if you have a timer turning on and off your lights when you're not home, that's perfect.

Don't Be Afraid To Report Someone

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One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they're afraid to report someone being suspicious. Durden says that the number of times he could've been reported, but wasn't because people were afraid to ruffle feathers is crazy.

If you see someone lingering around your neighborhood that shouldn't be there, don't be afraid to contact the police. It's a minor inconvenience for an innocent person, but it's a major deterrent for a burglar.

Vehicles Matter

If you know that you're not going to be home for a few days, communicating with your neighbor to put their car in the driveway is important.

It seldom happens, but Durden says that seeing a vehicle in the driveway can be the easiest deterrent. If your neighbor is willing to park their car in your driveway while you're gone, or you can get a ride to the airport from someone else so that your car stays put, that can be a difference maker.

If Someone Suspicious Is Knocking At Your Door

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Durden gives some great advice for anyone who is scared to open a door if they think someone suspicious is there. He says to pretend like you're on the telephone.

Yell, "just a minute, I'm on the phone" and that will almost always make someone with bad intentions retreat from your house. He says that it works wonders whether you're a home invader or a thief. The idea that someone else is on the other side with a direct line to the police if something bad happens is crucial.

Points Of Entry

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There are a few points of entry to the house that many people need to be wary of. The small bathroom windows that look like they couldn't fit a person absolutely can.

Durden says that the ignorance of people who don't alarm those bathroom windows is the reason many burglaries happens. Durden is 5'10, 215 lbs and says that he can fit through almost any bathroom window you put in front of him.

Doggy Doors

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You're just asking for someone to sneak into your house if you have an open doggy door. Durden has snuck through a door that was intended for their medium-sized puppy.

He outlines the fact that he wouldn't be able to get into these small windows or dog doors if there's a bar in blocking. It can be as simple as obstructing the window space that will stop someone from coming in.

Pay The Extra Money

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There's no point of having an alarm system if it doesn't make a loud enough noise. Yes, some of the alarms will go straight to the police station, but, there's an option for an outdoor alarm too.

Durden says that it's ridiculous people will pay for a good alarm system, but not be willing to pay enough to have an outdoor alarm. If your neighbors can hear it, they might be able to get a license plate or a facial feature.

The Time Limit

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If you're a successful thief, like Durden, you're only going to be in the house for around 5-7 minutes tops. This means that the chances of someone coming home are VERY slim.

He also doesn't have a lot of time to rummage through the house. Most will go straight to the master bedroom. So, if you can keep the master bedroom clean of any expensive jewelry or cash, you might be able to make the burglar think there's nothing else to grab.

The Overlooked Room

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The next stop for Durden once he's in your house would be the office. A lot of the time, the office is home to a work credit card or a personal credit card.

Not only that, but people will leave their financial records which can be easily manipulated. Durden says that the office is probably the most overlooked room in the house for the occupants, but not the burglars. It's the second stop.

So Where Would He Keep It?

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Durden makes note that if you want to keep your jewelry safe, you should probably keep it in the garage. Don't put it in the fridge or in another room in the house.

Put it in the garage and hide it in a toolbox. Most burglars are looking for easy, expensive stuff they can carry with them. The garage has a lot of bulky items and it's usually too chaotic to spend time looking through.

Keep Your Windows Shuttered

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Durden's number one tip to keep your house safe was to shutter the windows. All of them. Don't get lazy and leave small bathroom windows un-shuttered because those are the biggest targets for a good thief.

You don't want your alarm system to be visible from a window or a door. If a burglar can plan out exactly how he or she is going to disarm your system, you're making their job easy.

Stickers On The Front Door

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The most important tip to keep your house safe is to ensure that you have stickers or signs on your front door.

The sticker needs to say that you have your alarm system up to date. Thieves want to be in and out of your house in the easiest way possible. If you can someone show the burglar that it's not going to be smooth sailing if you try to break in, you'll succeed.

While the hope is that you'll never need this information, it’s something that’s important to be aware of "just in case." Everyone should know how to escape from zip-ties if you are ever bound in one for some reason. Keep reading to learn how to escape a zip-tie in a few easy steps, explained by a US Navy Seal.

Imminent Threat Solutions

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If you've ever had to use zip-ties to bind something, such as multiple wires behind your television set, then you know removing those ties requires either a knife or scissors.

So, it begs the question, what happens if the zip-tie happens to be around your wrists and there is nothing sharp close by? Thankfully, there's a trick to get yourself or someone else free, and an organization called Imminent Threat Solutions (ITS) has made a simple step-by-step "escape solution."

Brian Black Is The Owner And An Ex-Navy SEAL

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The founder of ITS, Brian Black, is well versed in escaping tough situations. Not that he's been in one, but he has intense training on how to deal with restraints. See, Black was a United States Navy SEAL, his time in the military cut short due to injury.

But he was there long enough to learn a thing or two about taking care of himself in a sticky situation. And he has decided to pass that knowledge on!

Black developed a website so other people can benefit from his knowledge.

He Developed The Website To Teach People Life Skills

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After leaving the Navy SEALS, Black became a huge lover of the outdoors. And when it comes to camping and the wilderness, there are safety measures that everyone should think about.

Between his military and wilderness experience, Black was inspired to make the ITS website. The site helps people develop life skills, allowing them to go out and explore the world safely. Of course, some of these skills, like escaping a zip-tie, he hopes his readers will never have to use.

Black Has Professional Military Training

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Black had professional training while in the military to escape from a zip-tie restraint. And because of his training, he can demonstrate how to escape using nothing other than his own strength.

On his Youtube channel, ITS Tactical/Imminent Threat Solutions, he said, "It's a common misconception that because you’re bound you have to somehow cut your way out, but if you think about it all you’re doing is defeating a tiny piece of plastic that’s holding it all together."

Zip-Ties Can Be "Easily Defeated"

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In a SEAL's line of work, a potential threat comes with the territory. And while civilians most likely aren’t going to face the same threats, it’s always good to be prepared for the worst. And, as an ITS staff member says on their website, "All of these methods can be easily defeated."

Meaning, having your wrist restrained in zip-ties isn’t the end of the world, and there is a way to free yourself if you know the correct method.

Wait For The Right Time To Break Free

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Aside from the strategy to get free, Black and his associates also recommend waiting for the opportune time to use this technique. If you find yourself in a hard situation, the ITS site recommends waiting, even though it might be difficult.

The ITS site says, "Your captors are most likely not going to have the resources or the patience to keep an eye on you constantly." So, the first step of getting free: wait for the right time!

Start Small And Move Toward Heavy-Duty Ties

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One thing the ITS team says to keep in mind, though, is that whoever is going to be putting zip-ties on your wrists won't be using some Dollar Store brand. More likely, they’ll be going to a hardware store and grabbing the most durable cable ties on the market.

Please, keep in mind that this is all hypothetical, and is just a "what if" situation to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. So, it’s recommended to start small and work up to the industrial brands.

One recommendation is to start with duct tape, just to get the movements down correctly.

Start With Duct Tape First

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Black and his co-workers advise people wanting to practice escaping zip-ties to first think about retraining their wrists with some duct tape. This is because plastic zip-ties, as we're sure you can imagine, hurt.

And while you’re practicing escape methods, there is no reason to hurt yourself! This is practice, after all. In one of their instructional videos, the ITS says, "Duct tape works the same as what we’ll show."

Time To Talk Mechanics

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Before we start discussing the actual technique to escape either a zip-tie or, if you're planning on taking it slow, duct tape, let’s first talk about the mechanics. There are some material-specific instructions you’re going to want to consider before trying to break free like Superman.

Primarily, you’re going to want to keep in mind the locking mechanism that comes on each zip-tie. Yes, that tiny piece of plastic is what you’re going to be battling with.

Step One: Acquire Materials

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That tiny piece of plastic holds the zip-tie securely around your wrists, and what you're going to be trying to snap off. We know, it sounds fairly difficult. That tiny piece of plastic is a bit stubborn!

Thankfully, Black and his associates are here to help us through it, safely and in the "easiest" way possible. So, first things first. Gather together either a zip-tie or duct tape, depending on which you’d prefer to practice with.

Step Two: Make A Large Loop

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Don't worry, if you chose to go the duct tape route, it is the same moves and concept as escaping from a zip-tie. And in both instances, make sure you have a friend nearby. You know, just in case you need help escaping!

The second step after you acquire the necessary supplies is to make a large loop with the tie, not making it too small. Then, place your hands through the loop.

The next step is very important. You're going to want to place the locking bar just so, before tightening the tie.

Step Three: Correct Placement Of The Locking Bar

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Now that your zip-tie is around your wrists, we're going to move onto step three: correct placement of the "locking bar." According to Black and his ITS team, you’ll need to put the little piece of plastic, aka the locking bar, on top of your bound wrists, right in the middle.

Think about it this way: placing the locking bar front and center allows you to stare down the object you’re looking to defeat. Now, it’s time to pump yourself up!

Step Four: Tightening The Tie

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For the fourth step, you're going to want to make the restraint nice and tight, so you’re able to move your hands as little as possible. The technique that we’re going to explain, as taught by the ITS team, works best the tighter the tie.

Or, if you’re using tape, have a friend securely restrain your wrists. Again, make sure you take any necessary safety precautions! Tip: if your palms are facing the floor, make a fist, clenching, and un-clenching until you can wiggle them to face one another.

The Technique Will Split The Tie In Half

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Before we move on to step five, we're going to explain the correct motions, as demonstrated and taught by Black and his team at Imminent Threat Solutions. The motion they instruct to use will, if done right, snap the zip-tie in half, freeing you.

Don’t worry about using strength to break free quite yet. Just think about and practice the motions first. Like anything, practicing before performing is a good way to go about this technique.

Step Five: The Motion

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Now we're going to discuss the correct motion to use, so you don’t hurt your wrists. The movements are quick, strong, and are simple enough to remember if you pay close attention.

Put your arms over your head, then think about putting them in a "chicken wing" position, elbows in, and shoulder blades together and bring them down fast. At the same time you’re bringing your arms down to your belly button, you’re going to push your wrists outward.

It's One Fluid Motion

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We recommend doing the motion a few times, remembering the triangular formation your arms should be in to escape. To reiterate the technique, the instructor in the ITS demonstration video on Youtube says, "In one fluid motion, you're going to come from the top and push down. And [you] almost want to simulate touching your shoulder blades together as you come down."

Once you have the movement down, it’s time to practice your escape. Remember, it’s the same technique with duct tape!

Of course, there are other ways captors can bind a person, such as behind the back. Two techniques to get out of that type of restraint are coming up soon.

Some People Are Skeptical About The Technique

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If you watch the demonstration video, you'll notice that using this technique properly should take a total of two seconds, if that. But some don’t necessarily agree with the ITS team’s method, saying that it wouldn’t work in enclosed spaces, like if you’re lying down in the trunk of a car.

Then, some commenters said that while it is a good technique, it’s a bit unrealistic. It’s not like the bad guys are going to place the locking bar just so!

What If Your Hands Are Tied Behind Your Back?

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And while those Youtube commenters have valid notes, there is one note that a lot of people are curious about: how do you escape if your hands are secured behind your back? Thankfully, there are actually two solutions!

If you'd like to practice this hypothetical situation (which might be a bit more realistic), feel free to follow the steps in the upcoming slides. We’ll break each situation up, so you’re able to follow along with both techniques.

Technique One: Flexibility

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If you're in a situation where your hands are bound behind your back, you’re going to want to mentally prepare yourself for some stretching and weird yoga.

You’re going to want to loosen up, and then carefully maneuver your most flexible arm over your head. This will make it so your arms are now in front of your body. Then, use the "chicken-wing" technique to break free. Note: this move is for those who are very flexible and/or double-jointed!

Technique Two: Brute Force

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The second way to get free is to use force. What we mean by that is that if you find yourself with your wrists bound behind your back, you're going to have to use some momentum from your arms.

First, bend over, so your chest is around a 45-degree angle from the ground. Then, lift your arms above your head, slamming down on your lower spine while, at the same time, outwardly pressing your wrists to break free. This will probably work better than the first technique!