It Takes a Thief (2005 TV series)

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This article is about the reality series. For the action-adventure series, see It Takes a Thief (1968 TV series).

It Takes a Thief is a reality television series that aired on the Discovery Channel from February 1, 2005, until April of 2007 when it was pulled from the program lineup. Jon Douglas Rainey and Matt Johnston - real ex-burglars - are the show's hosts. With permission from their intended "victims," they stage a full-fledged burglary, after which the security-challenged homeowners watch how it happened on closed-circuit television. Matt then gives the property a complete security makeover. Weeks later, Johnston and Rainey return to the property and try and get back in. The thefts usually occur in suburban homes, although businesses, college houses, and even a police station have been burglarized.

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[edit] Current status

The last episode aired April 13, 2007.[1] Discovery Channel has not announced a third season. As of January 2nd 2008, Discovery Channel started airing re-runs at 5:00pm (PST) on weekdays.

[edit] Episode synopsis

[edit] Season one (March 2005)

Matt Johnston and Jon Rainey survey a neighborhood for a suitable house to burglarize. Homes with security weaknesses or that appear to have security-lax owners are targeted. Rainey, who does the actual break-ins, looks for unlocked doors and windows, alarm systems (or lack thereof), and any available tools or ladders that can be used to gain entry. He also determines how visible the house is from the street or to the neighbors.

After selecting a house, Rainey leaves to plan the break-in while Johnston meets with the owners to obtain their permission, offering a free security renovation afterwards. Johnston tours the home to identify unsecured entry points, inventory valuables, and determine what (if any) security measures the homeowners use. None of this information is relayed to Rainey, and Johnston is unaware just how the actual break-in will be executed.

Cameras are installed throughout the house, and the family then locks up as they normally would when leaving. They join Johnston in the van to watch the break-in on TV monitors as it happens.

Rainey treats each break-in as a real heist, ransacking rooms while identifying the most valuable items as quickly as possible, and searching in what many consider secure hiding places. Cars are often taken as well, assuming Rainey can locate the keys. Occasionally, Rainey uses accomplices, and nearly every break-in employs a different strategy. The entire burglary usually take less than 15 minutes, resulting in property loss that can total thousands of dollars. Not all break-ins are successful; police have "apprehended" Rainey on several occasions, although he was immediately released.

Once the burglary is over, Johnston takes the owners back into the house to survey the aftermath firsthand. They then meet Rainey—an often emotional encounter. The stolen goods are then returned, and Rainey explains why he chose the items and gives an estimated resale value. Many are stolen because they can quickly be fenced, but others, such as credit cards, passports, birth certificates, etc., can have a long-lasting financial impact on victims through identity theft. Treasured items, like heirlooms, antiques, or collectibles, are irreplaceable, while knives, handguns, and law enforcement uniforms, are dangerous in a criminal's hands. The day ends with a cleaning crew putting the house back in order and a security guard posted outside overnight.

The next day, Johnston oversees a complete security makeover. Rainey is again absent during this period. Improvements may include surveillance equipment, new locks, alarm systems, new doors and windows (often with shatter-proof laminates applied to the glass), safes, lock boxes, and thief-deterrent landscaping (such as thorny bushes), along with advice on improving security-conscious habits. Johnston warns the homeowners that he and Rainey will return to test how well they are maintaining their new security system.

Several weeks later, Rainey and Johnston reappear when the house is vacant to check if the new security measures and the homeowner's vigilance prevent Rainey from breaking in again. They then wait for the owners to return and give them an evaluation of how well they employed the new devices.

[edit] Season two (October 2006)

The second season's new format makes the show's break-ins appear more realistic. The producers, rather than Johnston, now make the initial contact with the owners. They are told the burglary could happen at any time and to continue with their normal routines, as opposed to watching the burglary happen on closed-circuit television.

Rainey now monitors the residence, learns the homeowners' routines, and (usually) waits for the house to be vacant. When it is, he calls Johnston and proceeds with the break-in. As Rainey burglarizes the residence (knowing the homeowners could return at any time), Johnston alone watches on TV monitors while giving commentary.

When the homeowners return, Johnston arrives on the scene, talks to the victims, and tours the residence with them to survey aftermath. He then shows them footage of the break-in.

From this point, the show continues as before, with Rainey returning the family's possessions, a team of experts installing security measures, and Johnston and Rainey returning in a few weeks to test those measures.

[edit] About the hosts

Jon Douglas Rainey, born January 27, 1970, resides in New York City and is a single father. He committed many burglaries when he was younger, including a burglary of a police station. He even stole Corvettes from the Miss America Pageant. After several arrests and realizing his behavior was self-destructive, he joined the United States Coast Guard, quitting the criminal life for good. He later worked as a private investigator and personal trainer. On It Takes A Thief, Rainey takes the "criminal" role and plans and executes the burglaries. Rainey is also an actor. Among his credits are guest appearances on Sex and the City and All My Children and more recently, he will appear in a movie with Willie Nelson.

Matt Johnston, born December 6, 1976, in Odessa, Texas, currently resides in New York City. During his youth, Johnston burglarized dozens of homes, although after being arrested and sentenced to making restitution to his victims, he turned his life around.[1] Johnston has since worked as a teacher and is now an actor, writer, and filmmaker, founding his own production company, Trigger Entertainment, to develop independent film projects. In addition to hosting It Takes a Thief, he has TV and movie roles to his credit, including Cowboy Smoke which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival[2] and an appearance on Friday Night Lights. On It Takes a Thief, Johnston first meets with and then evaluates the homeowners existing security system before watching Rainey's break-in with them on closed-circuit TV, although this format changed somewhat in Season Two. He also oversees the show's security makeover, acts as a foil to Jon Rainey, and advises homeowners on how to protect their valuables and prevent real break-ins. He also directed several episodes during the second season.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Discovery Channel Bio
  2. ^ Matt & Jon Updates
  3. ^ Discovery Channel :: It Takes a Thief: Bios

[edit] External links