Every year, millions of Americans experience one of their worst fears: a home invasion.
Some of these attacks are simply random, while others are meticulously planned. According to a 2013 survey funded by the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF), around 12 percent of convicted burglars always planned their robberies in advance. Another 41 percent said it was often a “spur of the moment” decision, while the remaining offenders said that their tactics varied.
Often, these plans involved simple observation. For example, 83 percent of respondents said they would try to determine if a house had an alarm system before breaking in. Sometimes, however, plans were significantly more complicated.
TikTok user Mary Quigley (@quiggs1982) believes she may have caught one of these plans in action. Here’s what she saw.
What Are These Marks On This Woman’s Window?
In her video, Quigley explains that there was recently a “major snowstorm” where she lives in northwest Indiana.
When Quigley opened the curtains to look at the snowstorm, she noticed something strange.
“Do you notice the arrow that’s drawn on my window?” she asks. She then shows her window, which appears to have an arrow drawn on its screen. “It is, like, a curved arrow pointing upwards.”
Quigley questions how such a marking was even possible given that her backyard was locked. That said, she says she observed similar markings on two other windows.
And first of all, how? Because my backyard is locked, and how did you even get up here? But yeah, I have an arrow drawn on my window. The markings are also on two other windows in my house.
“I was a little bit freaked out,” she says. “I’m like, why are they drawing on my screens?”
Was This Woman’s House Marked For Robbery?
Concerned, Quigley called the police. The police said that these sorts of markings were typically used by burglars.
“Essentially, we have a group of burglars working together, and they will often times put markings somewhere on the outside of your house to show their partners in crime vulnerable access points to your house or rooms in which they think there are high-value items to steal,” Quigley recalls the police officer explaining.
For her, this meant that the rooms with her computer and television were marked—even though she notes that, given the age of these devices, any prospective robber is likely to be “real disappointed.”
For the time being, Quigley says she was able to remove the markings with alcohol. Additionally, the police said that they would perform extra surveillance on her house for the time being.
Do Burglars Really Mark Houses Before They Rob Them?
Many security experts agree that burglars marking a home before robbery is a rarity.
That said, “rare” does not mean that it never happens. Numerous outlets have attempted to decode what these markings mean, with different outlets claiming that each symbol has its own meaning attached to it.
However, rather than try to decipher what the scrawl on your window means, your time is likely better spent making an effort to prevent the robbery from happening.
As Quigley advises, one should remove the markings and report the incident to police. From there, one can ensure their house is secure. This can involve installing or upgrading locks, activating a security system, or taking other measures to prevent robbers from gaining entry into their home.
@quiggs1982 In case you didn’t know, apparently pre-burglary markings are a thing. If you see anything weird pop up on the outside of your house, make sure you call the cops so they can start keeping an eye out for you. I don’t own anything good, so whoever decides to break in is going to be highly disappointed. #psa #crimetok #creepy
Commenters Are Scared
In the comments section, users offered their own thoughts on Quigley’s terrifying situation.
“Time to lay out the glass Christmas decorations and marbles by the windows and paint can over the stairs,” wrote a user.
“Yay….another thing for us to worry about,” shared another. “I keep telling people that things are so expensive these days that we need to be ready for theft to increase.”
“I’d write on the windows. ‘don’t waste your time. i’m poor,’” stated a third.
BroBible reached out to Quigley via email and website contact form.