Bump Key Thieves BUSTED In Central Florida

Thieves that were using bump keys and lock bumping to steal property have been caught and are now behind bars. The two thieves apparently stole thousands of dollars in personal property from homeowners.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Lock
• Bumping
• Bump
• Keys
• Bumpkeys
• Locksmith

[zacthebold]

@mkultra2300 Bump keys defiantly, but picks? What does a pick leave behind for evidence?

[mkultra2300]

if anyone is having a problem with an insurance claim involiving a burglary using a bump key find a locksmith with a good reputation and retain them as an expert witness in lock forensics. There is evidence left behind by bump keys and picks.

[mkultra2300]

bump key "ring" ha ha

[silvermediastudio]

@mastermarc22 Hey easy now, this reporter has been researching bump keys for YEARS. Clearly he knows what he's talking about and wouldn't sensationalize the story or engage in fear mongering just to keep people listening. How dare you make such an outrageous assertion!?

[420mountian]

who cares

[KJ4IPS]

@ffryan The normal wear seen in key pins is a polising arround the circumfrence, as the pins rotate with each use , because they are not in perfect allignment with the key blade, but the wear shown on key pins from a bumping is a dent in the pin, caused by the key rappidly striking the soft brass pin.

[ffryan]

Unless your home has been targeted by a knowledgable burglar, the more obstacles you throw at a criminal the more likely they will move onto another person's home. Burglars want to be in and out quickly without getting caught. Are they going to want to go through your bump lock, bipass your alarm, and mess with your pet.... or go to the neighbours who doesn't have any of this? I know it's bad to think about it that way but sometimes you need to be extreme when protecting your family.

[ffryan]

Good protection against bump keys: buy "bump-proof" locks. They are available at Home Depot. Deadbolts start around $50. Not perfect, but you'll have more protection. Burglar alarms connected to a central station, with an audible alarm. Yappy dogs remain the best security measure you can take. Nothing is full proof. But if you are dilligent enough you can make your home a pain in the neck to break into, in which case most average burglars won't bother.

[ffryan]

@KJ4IPS, unfortunately all the moving parts of a lock affected by a bump key are the same wear items that get moved around whenever you use the proper key. It's tough to tell what wear was done by the home owners key and what was done by a criminal's bump key. If the bump key was older or made from a poorly made key, there might be some parts break off. But again, how do you tell for sure?

[KJ4IPS]

Well... while bump keys may not leave much evidence outside the lock (although there is some) I find it hard to think of a part of the lock that is NOT damaged, and I can think of at least two parts that would have evidence that is unlike any normal wear, Examples: Rounded dent on face of lock above keyway, and dents in the key pins, the above would NEVER happen in normal operation.