A look at a criminals stupidity.

Tuesday, January 28, 2003, the Seattle Times reported the Museum of Glass was once was the victim of vandalism and theft. Aware that the nighttime security patrols had been replaced by cameras, the thief thought ahead, he took the camera with him. Unfortunately, he left the videotape behind.

I think we should give the thief a big hand for thinking, granted he didnt think his plan through to a successful finish , but at least he took a second to think. After watching Americas Dumbest Criminals, it is refreshing to see a criminal actually make use of some common sense in planning a heist, instead of just driving down the road one day and thinking, Hey, I think Ill rob a bank while wearing my 7-11 title tag. And, Ill make use of my purple El Camino with the customized flames painted down the side for the getaway vehicle. When I am done, Ill go to Moms house for dinner, which is the address on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles has my home address. While I am there, I might as well clean Dads shotgun in front of the living room picture window while wearing a red flag on top of my head. Yeah, that sounds like a fun evening. The museum thief was thinking. He took the camera. Maybe if he had thought a little more, he would have taken off his security guard jacket. Maybe if he had hired a professional to think for him or watched any one of a number of bank robber movies, he would have taken the videotape with him. Or, here is a thought, how about just avoid the cameras. Then again, if he were really thinking, would he have committed the crime in the first place? As far back as the start of instant, stories of nice and evil have been told. Statistically speaking, evil loses. The odds against evil are even higher now with such tools available to the police as security cameras, DNA, fingerprint databases, and forensic specialists capable of pulling together minute knowledge to build a rock solid case. Lest we forget the media, even the amateur sleuth has more understanding than Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys could ever have imagined. Courtesy of CSI, even I understand the best measure and place to commit murder is outside during a downpour (most of the evidence washes away in seconds.) Do not criminals watch the same shows I do? Forensic Files, CSI, Law & Order (all three version), Cold Case Files, the list goes on. They all say the same thing. Getting away with a crime is an iffy endeavor at best. I suppose if prison garb, crappy food, and confinement appeal to you, it might be worth a shot, but on the whole, logic says do not do the crime, you will probably do the instant.