Home invasions of the wealthy are rare, says Mark Bauer, staff writer for the San Diego Union Tribune. His article in this morning’s San Diego Union Tribune reminds us of:
1. The highly-publicized 1974 Patty Hearst kidnapping by the Simbionese Army She was granddaughter of publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst.
2. The $2.7 million ransom paid in 1973 for the release of an oil billionaire’s grandson and namesake, John Paul Getty II–-which occurred after a slice of the victim’s ear was sent as proof of the kidnapper’s sincerity.
3. The never-forgotton 1932 kidnapping of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh’s 20–month-old son who was snatched from the family’s New Jersey home. After the $50,000 ransom was paid, the baby was found murdered and Bruno Hauptman, the killer, was executed.
High profile home invasions make news and provide juicy fodder for novels and films. In reality, though (especially in the United States), they are a very rare occurrence. The dangers of kidnapping and home invasion are far more threatening in other countries, particularly Latin America.
I recall a client and executive with a major oil firm who officed in South America. He required a bodyguard around the clock and the act of moving from his luxury apartment to the office involved security at the highest levels. Concerns of violent home invasions are far more prevalent (and real) in Mexico, for example, than the United States.
Home invasions of any sort are rare in San Diego. According to the San Diego Union story, there were 24 reported invasions throughout San Diego during the last quarter of 2006. In approximately 90 percent of the cases, the victim knew the invader and it was either a drug deal gone bad, unpaid debt, or a case where the perpetrator knew there was money in the house.
Rarely do these home invasions occur in wealthy homes. But when they do, it makes for great story copy.
Will it affect luxury home prices in San Diego, Sarasota and other affluent communities?
Absolutely not.
Roberta,
I used to work for British Petroleum (BP) they now own ARCO.
Well BP would give employees of Columbia a handbook of “How to Survive a Kidnapping”
I have seen this book (I don’t have one)
It is real.
I did think it was kind of funny but scary at the same time.
Loren
Loren: Good to see you! American television and crime stories lead other cultures to believe life in the Unites States is so unsafe, when the reality is another matter.
Your work in Colombia was hazardous duty!