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Jon Douglas Rainey and Matt Johnston: two ex-burglars turned television hosts. But what lies in their criminal past? And what turned them around?
Find out what makes these two tick, and see what home-security tips they have for you.
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I was doing some research online — I'm a writer — and I stumbled across the site of
It Takes a Thief's production company. I contacted one of the producers and he wanted a head shot. I was the only person in L.A. without a head shot, but I am also a film maker and have my own production company. So, in three hours, I made a video of what I thought the show would be like — me picking locks, breaking into things, etc. — and sent it in.
It pretty much matched what the producers were doing and looking for. They asked me to come in for a screen test, and it went well, so I got the job.
Jon: I was checking Web sites for acting work and came across a New York casting site. There was an ad calling for ex-burglars who hadn't been arrested in the last five years who wanted to host a new show. It sounded intriguing.
Q: What does your criminal record include?
A: Jon: I once robbed a police station. They kept all of the township's sports supplies in the station. My buddy and I just walked right in, in broad daylight — the place was packed. We went downstairs and "borrowed" their sports-team equipment. We threw on pads and jerseys and such, and then just ran like heck to get out of there. Three days later we got chased after police saw us playing out on a football field in the jerseys, but we all got away.
I also swiped some life rings from a historic warship in Hawaii. I thought they would look cool in my apartment — little did I know they had cameras all around the ship. The Honolulu police chased us for hours.
Oh, and I've stolen Corvettes from a Miss America Pageant. I got caught then, too, but only because I got ratted out.
Matt: My crimes weren't that big or exciting — just a bunch of small stuff.
