Talking to a thief | Ryan Gallagher

Ryan Gallagher interviews a man who makes his living stealing from others.

     We all know that there are thieves around us. In fact we have all stolen something in our lives probably more than once, be it chocolate out of the cupboard or a few euro here and there. Nothing that warrants jail or severe punishment, however. It’s a part of growing up and we usually learn from our crimes. And as we get older the crimes get more serious. But what about the people who steal for a living? Two days ago in town I met up with a ‘professional thief’ in a café. I got the interview by asking around and promising not to mention any personal details that could lead to the person’s identification. I interviewed Jake*. This was my first interview with someone who knowingly breaks the law.

     When meeting Jake I’m surprised at how normal he looks. Just a typical person. He’s clearly in his mid 20s, has no tattoos, doesn’t smell or even look remotely shifty. I begin by questioning whether he’s afraid our meeting will lead me to contact the guards. He casually says “everything I’m about to tell you is a lie.”

     Understandably, I’m curious as to why he even agreed to this interview. “In my line of work, you don’t get the opportunity to brag and we like nothing more than to boast about our winnings.” The logic makes sense.

     Jake is Irish, born and bred. He comes from a small family with just himself and his younger brother and two parents. His parents he says lived off the dole and other benefits for life, though they fed, clothed and put their children through primary and secondary schooling. Despite this, however, Jake and his younger brother were often hungry and resorted to stealing food from the fridge whenever necessary. On days that they needed money, he and his brother would take to the supermarkets and steal whatever would fit underneath their jackets.

     The trick is, Jake says, to look respectable. “So we dressed in our Sunday best and stole toys, music, games, food. We would rotate large supermarkets to steal from to avoid suspicion. And it worked for years. Our parents weren’t any wiser or didn’t want to know.”

     It was clear as day that not only was Jake street smart but also educated. “How far did your education take you?” “Well I finished the leaving cert. We simply didn’t have the money for college so I got a job in the construction industry. I had moved out from home by now and that same year my dad died. He was a heavy drinker and was killed driving behind the wheel. I felt it was my responsibility to support my family and working honestly didn’t earn enough. So I started boosting cars. A fella from work would give me a list of cars he wanted and I would steal them for him. Fords were the most common ones I stole.”

     “But weren’t you worried about getting caught?”

     “All the time. The first couple of jobs, I was a bag of nerves. My hands kept shaking as I drove off and hot wiring the car I couldn’t stop sweating. But the money was always good and that’s what I needed. Bills and family needed to be paid for. I stole cars for four years, in fact I still do. I’ve never been caught. It’s not the movies, stealing cars isn’t exciting or glamorous.  Preparation is key and thinking the plan through. There are a lot of stupid people out there who think they can be a master thief. In the real world that doesn’t happen.”

     I’m curious to know how much the cars were worth to Jake after stealing. “On average three grand but they’d have to be new and in good condition. It’s getting more and more difficult to boost cars nowadays. Technology is a bitch for people like us.”

     “What about drugs?”

     “No. Absolutely not. I’m a car thief not a drug dealer. The gardaí are constantly watching drug dealers and that line of work is more messier. You need tough skin to be able to shift drugs. I’m strictly cars and the occasional house.”

      “Houses?” Sometimes when money is tight I would go into a house and take TV’s, jewellery, anything electronically. But how do you get away with it? Surely a house is a tougher rob? It is but if you ask around, Facebook is handy too. You’ll soon find out who’s on holidays or whatever.

     “But insurance might not cover them this time?”

     Jake shrugs his shoulders, the repercussions of a break-in obviously not a concern of his.

     I push it. “Breaking into someone’s home can cause serious damage both financially and psychologically, a person might not feel safe in their own home after a break in.”

     “If they can afford a holiday then they have money. Besides I don’t do it often.”

     Such a lifestyle is hardly sustainable, however. Upon asking, Jake is unclear on the longevity of this walk of life. “I dunno, another two years anyways. It’s the thrill of it more than anything nowadays. This rush you get when driving off with a stolen car and getting a few bob for it too.”

     “Aren’t you afraid of jail? And what about your family now?”

     “Not as much as when I first started no. It’s a necessary risk. My brother and mother still live together but they have food and are doing ok. That’s the main thing.”

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the persons in question.