It Takes a Thief (2005 TV series)

infobox Television
bgcolour = #cc9
show_name = It Takes a Thief
format = Drama / Reality / Action
runtime = 60 Minutes per Episode
creator = Lion Televison
starring= Matt Johnston
Jon Douglas Rainey
theme_music_composer = Tammany Hall NYC
country = USA
company = Lion Television
network = Discovery Channel
first_aired = February 1, 2005
last_aired = April 13, 2007
num_seasons = 2
num_episodes = 80
imdb_id = 0458270
tv_com_id = 34149|

"It Takes a Thief" is a reality television series that aired on the Discovery Channel from February 1, 2005, until April 2007. The show's premise features two former burglars who use their unique expertise to teach people in an usual way how to protect their homes. With the homeowners' permission, Matt Johnston and Jon Douglas Rainey, the show's hosts, stage a full-fledged break-in as their "victims" watch on closed-circuit television. Rainey assumes the "burglar" role and plans and executes the break-ins while Johnston acts as mentor to the security-challenged owners. Immediately following the burglary, Rainey and Johnston meet with the residents to return their "stolen" goods and explain to them what they have been doing wrong. Matt Johnston then organizes a complete security makeover and provides additional safety tips. Weeks later, Johnston and Rainey return and attempt another break-in to test whether the homeowners are using their new security system properly. Most thefts occur in suburban homes, although businesses, college houses, and even a police station have been burglarized.

Current status

The last first-run episode aired April 13, 2007. ^{[http://www.tv.com/it-takes-a-thief-2005/ladies-of-the-lake/episode/1017863/summary.html?tag=ep_list;ep_title;81]} Discovery Channel has not announced a third season, but as of January 2, 2008, re-runs air weekdays at 5:00pm eastern. Also as of October 1, 2008 Discovery Channel has stopped running the show.

Episode synopsis

eason One (March 2005)

Matt Johnston and Jon Douglas 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 burglary while Johnston meets with the owners to obtain their permission, offering a free security renovation following the break-in. 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 normal when leaving. They then join Johnston in a nearby van to watch the live break-in on TV monitors. Johnston also provides commentary as the burglary is happening.

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. The producers notify local authorities about the show beforehand. [ cite episode|title = Episode 22|series = It Takes a Thief| ]

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.

eason Two (October 2006)

The second season's revamped 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 live 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 the 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.

About the hosts

Jon Douglas Rainey, born January 27, 1970, resides in New York City and is a single father to a daughter. When he was younger, he committed many burglaries, including a police station. Rainey 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. He later worked as a private investigator, personal trainer, and managed a rock band. Rainey is also an actor. Among his credits are guest appearances on "Sex and the City" and "All My Children" and roles in "Mystery of the Bloody Mansion" (2007) and the 2008 Willie Nelson movie, "Shoot Out of Luck". Matt Johnston, born December 6, 1976 in Odessa, Texas, currently resides in Austin, Texas, although he has recently lived in New York City and Los Angeles. During his youth, Johnston burglarized homes, but after being arrested and sentenced to making restitution, he turned his life around. [http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/ittakesathief/bios/bios.html Discovery Channel Bio] ] 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 2008 Cannes Film Festival [ [http://www.mattandjon.com/ Matt & Jon Updates] ] and an appearance on "Friday Night Lights". Johnston also directed several "It Takes A Thief" episodes during the second season. [ [http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/ittakesathief/bios/bios.html Discovery Channel :: It Takes a Thief: Bios ] ] He is currently in pre-production for a movie ("Pain") and is working on a documentary titled, "Roundball."

Although both Matt Johnston and Jon Douglas Rainey were arrested for burglary, neither are "ex-cons" as is stated on the Discovery Channel's "It Takes A Thief" web site, nor do they have criminal records. According to Johnston, "If I really had a criminal background, I wouldn't be able to work with children. I mean, to even work on the Discovery Channel show there were extensive background checks. To paraphrase Twain, the rumors of my thievery are greatly exaggerated." [ [http://www.mattandjon.com/ Matt & Jon Updates] ]

References

External links

* [http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/ittakesathief/ittakesathief.html Discovery Channel: It Takes A Thief]
*imdb title|id=0458270|title=It Takes a Thief (2005)
* [http://www.tv.com/it-takes-a-thief-2005/show/34149/summary.html It Takes A Thief] - TV.com
* [http://tviv.org/wiki/It_Takes_a_Thief_(2005) It Takes A Thief] - The TV IV
* [http://www.mattandjon.com Official Matt & Jon Website] - MattAndJon.com