Reread this whole thread before I realized that it started some time ago (and that I had already commented).seamusTX wrote: ...Home invasion lets robbers get all kinds of stuff, force the occupants to open a safe, force them to go with the robbers to an ATM, and maybe engage in some recreational violence.
I'm surprised it is not more common than it is. Perhaps the high level of firearms ownership in Texas keeps it down. Few people carry, but many keep loaded weapons at home.
- Jim
But this comment jumped out at me. I remember reading awhile back (as in the past year or two) that burgling homes while people were at home (I guess that makes it robbery) had become the preferred method of burglary in the UK -- over half of burglaries were of occupied dwellings -- because the burglars/robbers figured out that this was easier -- they didn't have to search the home, they only needed to threaten or beat the occupants to find the location of all the good stuff.
The police chief of one UK city force was quoted as telling people they should leave their car keys on a table near the front door -- that way, when the thieves kicked in the front door, the keys would be easy for them to find and they would not have to trot up the stairs to the bedroom to beat the keys out of the occupants.
I prefer living in Texas.