What You Need To Know About Burglaries As The Holiday Season Approaches

The holiday season is the best time of the year.  It’s a time for family, friends, and festivities.  Unfortunately, statistics also indicate that burglaries around this time of the year soar exponentially.  Potential burglars seize on opportunities as families travel to see loved ones, college students go home for winter break, and gifts lay innocently under trees across America.

What is Burglary in Kentucky?

Burglary 1^ST  Degree – KRS 511.020

• A person is guilty of Burglary in the 1st degree when, with the intent to commit a crime, he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building, and when in effecting entry or while in the building or in the immediate flight therefrom, he or another participant in the crime:
  • Is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon; or
  • Causes physical injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime; or
  • Uses or threatens the use of a dangerous instrument against any person who is not a participant in the crime.
• Penalty – Class B felony carrying a sentence of 10-20 years of imprisonment

Burglary 2^ND  Degree – KRS 511.030

• A person is guilty of burglary in the 2nd degree when, with the intent to commit a crime, he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling
• Penalty – Class C felony carrying a sentence of 5-10 years of imprisonment

Burglary 3^RD  Degree – KRS 511.040

• A person is guilty of burglary in the 3rd degree when, with the intent to commit a crime, he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building.
• Penalty – Class D felony carrying a sentence of 1-5 years of imprisonment.

 Tips To Prevent A Burglary

1. Be careful what you post on social media. Potential burglars scour the internet looking for gifts people have received and when families are out of town. Don’t share too much or else you may be their next target.
2. Make sure your gifts aren’t visible from the outside. Burglars are looking for easy opportunities when they are sizing up a house. Presents easily seen from an outside window could entice a burglar to choose your house to target.
3. Don’t run external lights through a window. That little crack in the window seal is all a burglar needs to gain entry into a house. Make sure your windows are properly closed and locked.
4. Put your lights on a timer. Burglars are known to research potential targets to learn their schedules. By putting your lights on a timer, you can throw off potential burglars and steer them away from your house.
5. Finally, if you see anything suspicious, call the police department.

If you’ve been charged with a burglary in Kentucky, what should you do?

• Don’t make any statements about the case to anyone, especially law enforcement.
• Call our office immediately at (859) 259-0727.