100 Years is a Long Sentence for Burglar, but He Committed Other Crimes, Too

Some burglars are just intruders, and limit their activities to violating your sense of security while stealing your property. Others take it a step further, especially when armed, and attack their victims, sometimes with fatal results. And then there is Jason Thomas Scott, whom prosecutors have called a “professional criminal.” Once you read this report from Maryland’s Prince George's County, you’ll see why.

On Tuesday, we told you about Jason Thomas Scott, a 28-year-old who faced at least 97 years for 11 felonies that included up to 50 burglaries and nine home invasions in Prince George's County. On Wednesday, a federal judge in Greenbelt decided 97 years wasn't enough, and put him away for an even century.

That’s Not All

On top of that, Scott still faces a trial in the deaths of a mother and daughter who were found in a burning car in Largo in 2009. Police said he used information he got from working at UPS to track down his victims. Authorities said he also stole guns and sold them on the street. Prosecutors called him a "professional criminal." A news conference by the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office included comments from one of his terrified victims. Here is a statement from federal prosecutors detailing the charges:

"According to testimony presented during Scott’s three week trial, Scott admitted that he committed 28 specific residential burglaries and nine armed home invasion robberies in Prince George’s County. Scott also admitted that he committed many other burglaries for which he did not provide details. Finally, Scott confessed to the robbery of a firearms store in Carroll County. The evidence showed that Scott started committing burglaries at a young age, then he graduated to home invasion robberies in 2008."

His Methods - Including Phone Lines

"Scott selected the homes to be targeted; observed the targeted homes to assess the number of occupants and the vehicles present; checked addresses, using internet searches and a database at the Landover UPS facility where Scott worked; cut phone lines to disable alarm systems; and gained entry through unlocked windows or by smashing glass windows and doors."

More Details – and What He Stole

"According to the evidence presented at trial, during the burglaries and home invasions, Scott wore dark clothing, a black balaclava mask and black Nike gloves, and he carried a black North Face backpack with a flashlight and various burglary tools.  Scott used a scanner with an earpiece to monitor police communications and police activity in the immediate area.  During the home invasions, Scott carried a handgun and wore a holster.  The evidence showed that Scott stole money; computers and computer accessories; flat screen televisions; firearms; safes; debit and credit cards; cell phones; and vehicles.”

The article goes on, but you get the drift: a very bad guy, who did very bad things.

Stealing Guns – and Selling Them

"On May 26, 2009, Scott and Hunter broke into a federally licensed gun business in Woodbine, Maryland. Scott researched the dealer using the Choice Point database at Landover UPS facility where he worked part-time.  Scott and Hunter stole 39 firearms, including semi-automatic rifles, two machine guns, several handguns and six silencers. Testimony showed that on June 17, 2009, in the parking lot of the Landover UPS facility, Scott sold four of the firearms stolen from the firearms dealer to an individual who was cooperating with federal agents.”

Police Finally Close the Net

“As a result of a series of search warrants, officers recovered evidence from Scott’s bedroom and car that included 16 stolen firearms, a North Face backpack, balaclava ski masks, Nike gloves, burglary tools, police radio frequency scanners, computers, computer storage devices, ammunition and holsters, and video and digital cameras."

In all the years I have been reading these types of reports, I do not remember seeing such a litany of crimes, some of them violent, committed against so many victims, by one individual. There is little about the 100-year sentence that is surprising, especially after you read the entire report (I have intentionally omitted some painful and explicit details).

Does this article strengthen the case for monitored home security as a way to protect your home and family from this type of reprehensible behavior? You bet it does. And the fact that this criminal went so far as to cut phone lines to disable alarm systems simply reinforces the fact that cellular monitoring is the only safe and reliable way to increase your peace of mind. We already know that a home protected by a monitored alarm system is only a third as likely to suffer an intrusion, so it just makes sense to have the right alarm system in your home .

FrontPoint is on the case with monitored protection that is safer, smarter, simpler, and more affordable. As the leader in wireless home security and the #1 rated alarm company in the US, FrontPoint takes residential intrusion very seriously, whether it’s the usual random offense by an amateur burglar, or a targeted attack by the “professional” described above. Either way, you want the odds on your side.