Are Solo Burglars More Experienced? Differentiating Solo and Group Burglary Offenders by Motivation, Target Selection, and Skill Use

This study examines behavioral and situational differences between solo and group burglary offenders using survey data from incarcerated burglars (N = 284). Logistic regression analyses reveal that solo offenders are more likely to be motivated by subsistence needs, exercise greater care in disposing of stolen property, and select targets based on environmental cues indicating neglect or vacancy. They are also more likely to employ advanced burglary techniques, including disabling alarm systems and impersonating service personnel, reflecting greater autonomy and criminal expertise. These findings enhance understanding of burglary decision-making and provide practical insights for offender profiling and targeted burglary prevention strategies.