It Takes a Thief (2005)
Season 1
TV-PG
A unique series offering viewers something they've never seen before: an actual home burglary, live, as it happens. Hosted by two reformed ex-cons, It Takes a Thief exposes the security flaws of a home by unleashing two uniquely qualified experts - ex-burglars - who will provide vital insights into the workings of the criminal mind.
Where to Watch Season 1
40 Episodes
- The Great Harley Heist
E6Episode 6The Great Harley HeistJon and Matt visit a suburban neighborhood where most houses have no garage. The house they stop at belongs to Marlene and Katrina, two roomates who are as close as sisters. They learn that the smallest mistake, in this case leaving the 2nd story Bathroom window open, provides easy access to a thief. Jon makes off with stuff like a laptop, passports, jewelry, and Marlene's motorcycle. - Grand Theft AutosE8
Episode 8Grand Theft AutosMatt and Jon visit a lakeside retreat known to the locals as Club Marko. Home to a batchelor who lives each day as if it were his last, it was well protected, or so the homeowner, Mark, thought. Security Cameras, Motion Detectors, and a top of the line Security System prove no match for Matt. The homeowner learned a big lesson as he watched his Plasma Screen TV, Safe, Motorcycles, and even his Cars get stolen. - Reading, Writing and Robberies
E9Episode 9Reading, Writing and RobberiesMatt and Jon take a trip to New Jersey, to the home of Ryan and Camilla. Matt finds out that the only one who locks the doors in the house is their 3 year old daughter. After going through the house, they lock up and Jon tries to get in. It seems that an enclosed porch is the perfect cover for a thief. Jon broke a window with a piece of firewood and made off with bank files, jewelry, china, and the family's van. - Like Mother, Like Daughter
E10Episode 10Like Mother, Like DaughterMatt and Jon visit long island, to the home of Stephanie, a single mother of 2 who had been robbed twice already. They lock up the house, but, their efforts are wasted as six of the windows don't even lock. Jon gets in through the kitchen window and makes off with checks, pounds of jewelry, and even the family dog. - Desperate Housewife
E11Episode 11Desperate HousewifeOnce again in New Jersey, Matt & Jon visit the home of Roseann and Phil. Bill's unfinished projects have left Roseann feeling uneasy about being home at night, especially after robberies occurred in their neighborhood. Jon makes off with thousands of dollars in jewelry, collectibles, and fur coats and Phil learned that a golf club won't secure a patio door. - Little WomenE12
Episode 12Little WomenMatt & John go to Connecticut to visit the home of a single mom and her two daughters. Arachnophobia caused the homeowner to not check the cellar window. While it was locked, Jon used a cinderblock to smash out the glass and made out with thousands of dollards in Jewelry and Collectibles. - Something Old, Something New
E13Episode 13Something Old, Something NewMatt & John visit a neighborhood outside NYC, to an old Tudor home. All the locks are original to the house, including the mortise locks on the side and back doors. Jon kicked in the side door and made off with jewelry, silverware, and the flat screen monitor for the computer. Matt secured the house while preserving it's old world charm. - Thief and the Single Lady
E14Episode 14Thief and the Single LadyMatt & John visit a suburban neighborhood outside of New York City. They find the home of a single mother whose children have moved out. She has lived all over the world and has expensive treasures from everywhere, including Sterling Silver and thousand dollar paintings. She learns a quick lesson when Jon makes off with all of it. - Good Cop, Bad Cop
E17Episode 17Good Cop, Bad CopA.J., Angie and their two young girls live in a rural ranch-style home with no nearby neighbors, shrubbery for cover, streetlights or security on their main doors and garage. This concerns Angie, but not her husband. What's unusual about this scenario? A.J. is a policeman who deals with home invasions every week. - Special Assignment: Big Brother
E19Episode 19Special Assignment: Big BrotherMatt and Jon are on special assignment when Frank, the show's security consultant, asks them to teach his brother a lesson. Frank's brother thinks all he needs is his Doberman Pincher for protection. Matt and Jon are out to prove him wrong. - Security He Said/She Said
E20Episode 20Security He Said/She SaidArthur designed the Long Island house he lives in with his wife Diana and their daughter. Ambitious when it comes to security, he wired the house with a state-of-the-art alarm system and installed solid locks. Trouble is, he never hooked up the system or fixed the locks that didn't work. - Shape Up or Ship Out
E21Episode 21Shape Up or Ship OutEdna has lived in her home for 44 years and plans to live out her retirement years there. Her grown sons, Gary and George, live nearby and worry about her safety. Matt and Jon try to turn around her security system so that Edna can stay in her home. - Wine, Dine and Dash
E26Episode 26Wine, Dine and DashRon, Joanne and their four kids live on the grounds of their family-owned vineyard. Since he's in and out of his house frequently, Ron never bothers to lock doors or any of his barns, although strangers stop by constantly to ask him about his fine wines. See how Ron reacts when he sees a stranger walking off with his gun collection, his wine machinery and boxes and boxes of his own wine ... and his family business in the process. - Shaking Up the Southern Comfort
E28Episode 28Shaking Up the Southern ComfortAccused of being too trusting, Teresa & Don sometimes don't even feel the need to carry house keys during the day. That is until Jon turns up in disguise - and receives an open invite from Teresa to case the house from the inside! - Unlocking the Past
E30Episode 30Unlocking the PastIn 2003 Clive and Michelle were violently mugged close to their home. They were affected so much that to this day, they won't walk around the neighborhood at night. Now with six-month-old, Ava in the picture, a security system is an even bigger priority. - Inherited Fortune
E32Episode 32Inherited FortuneSafe in suburbia, Lori and Scott never thought twice about home security ... until Lori unexpectedly inherited a small fortune in valuables, including a pricey art collection. Will their sense of security catch up to their newfound wealth in time to stop Jon from taking it from them? - Nighttime Is the Right Time
E34Episode 34Nighttime Is the Right TimeWhen Stephanie and Ray returned from vacation they found their house robbed and car stolen. Since then, they've moved into the country and their new home is outfitted with an alarm, motion sensors and a barking dog. Will these upgrades be enough? - Mi casa es su casa
E36Episode 36Mi casa es su casaJulio and Yolanda fled Nicaragua to the US seeking a better and safer life for their children. Security played a major role in their move since the family was robbed five times. Despite their best efforts, home security is still no protection for them. - Big Apple Break-In
E37Episode 37Big Apple Break-InA wealthy Manhattan man fills his historic brownstone with hundreds of thousands of dollars in artwork and furniture; he relies only on his neighbors and street traffic to keep him safe from burglary. Matt and Jon attempt to show him the error of his ways. - Car Repair... or Robbery?
E38Episode 38Car Repair... or Robbery?Steven is living his dream: He is running his own auto repair shop where he fixes and maintains very expensive cars. The problem is that he's not taking great security measures, and if his business gets wiped out, he'll have nothing for himself or his family. - Theft on the Water
E40Episode 40Theft on the WaterTrisha is a widow who continues to manage her late husband's marina business. However, she also continues to neglect security. With a house that is full of memories and emotional ties, how will Trisha cope when she sees how vulnerable her beloved possessions really are?
