Get Some Answers

type size: [A] [A] [A]

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.

---

More Answers on Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Q:		How did you get approached to do the show?
A:		Matt: 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.

---

More Answers on Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Q:		How much time did you spend behind bars?
A:		Jon: I've been in jail in California, Hawaii, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but never for too long. I was in juvvie, too. If you added it all up, it was maybe a month or so cumulative. I went for doing all kinds of things — not just burglary. I've also paid thousands of dollars in restitution, and I've done hundreds of hours of community service. Matt: I have only stayed a couple of nights in jail, because when you're young, they want to give you another chance. It was never for longer than 24 hours. I had maybe three stays in all. However, I've had to pay back quite a lot of money in restitution.

---

Q:		What was your first crime? How did you know what to do?
A:		Jon: My first job was stealing an I-Roc Z28 (a Camaro). I didn't even have a license yet. It was actually very exciting. As for knowing what to do, you figure it out as you go. And when such pressure is involved, it adds to the thrill. I like to be challenged. Matt: My first break-in was probably one of the bigger things I've done. It was with a couple of buddies, and it was for no reason other than my friend didn't like this person who lived in our little town. I went along for the ride, and we cleaned out this guy's place. It was a big house; we took a lot of stuff. At the time, you think it's the coolest thing. Snooping around is exciting. It's like going into another person's medicine cabinet; you feel sneaky and dirty, but it's fun. The thing is, the danger and excitement is fine, but the aftermath is the worst feeling in the world. In this case, it was especially bad since the person was part of the community. My parents knew him. The feeling of being caught is so much worse than the feeling of excitement when you're doing it.

---

More Answers on Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Q:		Why did you give up the criminal life? What was the turning point for you?
A:		Matt: For me, it was the embarrassment of being caught. The last time I got caught I was in my 20s, and the whole world fell in around me. You know, you're out of your teenage years — you're not cute anymore — and you don't want people to know. But everyone at my job found out; I missed work because I was in jail. The disappointment of everyone around me made me never want to do that again. You're not just hurting yourself and your victim, but everyone who cares about you. They never look at you the same way again. Jon: For me, there was no one big turning point — more like a series of them. But the two big ones were: When I was in college, I was taking juvenile delinquency classes to try to better understand why I was doing this. I realized I just wanted more in life, to go beyond the boundaries I grew up with, to feel that rush of excitement. So I joined the military and started traveling. The military was the first turning point. Later, the biggest turning point was the birth of my daughter. After she was born and our relationship grew, it made me more mature, and I cared more about what happened to me.

---

Q:		What made you pursue a life of crime?
A:		Matt: Sheer boredom. Teenage angst and boredom. Jon: It was about adventure-seeking and boredom. I just needed to do more than allowed.

---

More Answers on Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Q:		What is your reaction to hosting a TV series that draws on your past criminal activities?
A:		Jon: It's amazing. I told my mom, "See? All those years I was just building my resume." Seriously, it's a lot of fun. It channels my energy in a creative way, and it's rewarding. It's also ironic: I can be good and bad at the same time. Matt: It's difficult to do sometimes. Since that time in my life so many great things have happened to me; I have a life now, and this forces me to look back. This kind of history is the one thing you don't want people to know about you. Now, I'm putting it out there on a TV show; it's the first thing people know about me. Very unsettling. But it is also really rewarding to show some people how to protect themselves and others that they don't have to steal.

---

Q:		What do you want viewers to take away from the show?
A:		Jon: I hope that people realize that a burglary CAN happen to them. We show that all different kinds of people are vulnerable. So I hope we show viewers they need to wise up. I also hope we entertain people. Matt: I want people to know that there are small things they can do at home, at little or no cost, to make themselves safe — little adjustments on windows or sliding glass doors, etc. We want to help people in those little ways, so they do not have to go through the horror of having valuables taken. We also want to get people to realize that not making a decision is actually making a decision. If you're not serious about home security, that's making a decision to not be safe. By just being lazy, you could be putting yourself in danger. Open your eyes to caring a bit more about your homes, possessions and loved ones.

---

More Answers on Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Q:		What do you think is the most common security mistake (or mistakes) homeowners make?
A:		Jon: The most common mistake is feeling too safe. People think they are safe because they've lived in a place for a long time, or they know their neighbors, etc. You can become too comfortable for your own good. Matt: Not setting your alarm. Or not locking the windows and doors.

---

Q:		If homeowners could do only one thing to make themselves less vulnerable (e.g., get an alarm system, put bars on the windows, etc.), what one thing would you suggest?
A:		Jon: As long as your house is not the most appealing house on the block, then you should be safe. If a thief thinks he can get in and out of your house the fastest, especially compared to your neighbors, then you're the target. Matt: Put your alarm system on!

---

Q:		Has your house ever been burglarized or your car broken into/stolen?
A:		Matt: I've had a car stolen, and a stereo stolen out of my car. Jon: I was robbed the first day of shooting the show! After we wrapped, I put down my gym bag, turned away, and when I turned back five minutes later, someone had stolen it.

---