Burglar Steals Guns from Home, Caught on Camera in Germantown, Kentucky

We’ve known for some time that burglars steal guns – and that firearms have been added to the list of things burglars target most, which also includes cash, jewelry, electronics, and prescription drugs. In fact, I posted on this topic well over two years ago, recommending that people use guns safes – and that they equip those gun safes with FrontPoint’s interactive monitoring to receive alerts any time the safe is opened. The statistics on how many guns remain unprotected in the home are enough to scare you – and this recent new article from Germantown, Kentucky is just one more excellent example of why it’s so important to secure firearms in the home.

Police say a burglar cleaned out a Germantown home, stealing several guns, jewelry and electronics. But, the homeowner was able to catch the burglar through home surveillance, and turned the footage in to police. Metro Police released the surveillance video of the suspect walking through the backyard of a Germantown home before the burglary.

What the Burglar Stole

"He got two shotguns, two handguns, jewelry, camera," says burglary victim Kenneth Kurtz. Kurtz was surprised at how comfortable the suspect was inside his home. He says, "I didn't recognize him at all but he came into my yard and into my house like he knew me." Police also released video of the suspect inside the house. Kurtz says he also got away with something he considers priceless, his wedding rings. "She has been gone a year, and that really hurt," says Kurtz about the loss of the wedding rings from his deceased wife.

Weapons in the Wrong Hands

Police now worry the weapons will end up in the wrong hands. 4th Division Det. Kevin Peak says, "We've been checking for the guns and we haven't been able to locate any of them yet so they're probably on the street and he sold 'em to someone." Police investigating the case are hoping somebody either saw him or knows who he is, because the burglar walked out of the house in broad daylight. Peak says, "He's probably someone that lives in the Germantown area and we're hoping that someone that lives in Germantown recognizes him."

Residential Crime on the Upswing

Meanwhile, police says they've seen an increase in home break-ins in the Germantown area. "And we think that this guy here is responsible for most of them," says Peak. If this man is the same suspect, ignoring the surveillance cameras could be a costly mistake. "I think they got very good video of the fella," says Kurtz. Kurtz hopes if and when an arrest is made, to get his wedding rings back. "Oh, I'd love to get 'em back, yes. I don't expect to," says Kurtz.

What You Can Do Of course, the best solution is to have a monitored alarm system in the home – especially one with smarter interactive features. In addition to traditional intrusion detection, today’s most advanced systems can send you a text or email any time a door opens. And many of the gun owners who use these systems place a door contact on their gun cabinet or gun safe: that way, they are notified any time the cabinet or safe is opened, even by a member of the family, such as a child. Now that’s peace of mind. With a burglary occurring roughly every 14 seconds in the US, more and more homeowners are opting for a safe and reliable way to protect their homes and families. And when they shop online, they look for companies with the most advanced technology and the best reputation. That’s why so many choose FrontPoint. As the leader in wireless home security and the #1 ranked alarm company in the US, FrontPoint knows all about peace of mind: that’s our number one job, to make you feel more secure when you’re at home… or away.