How I Rob Banks

Chapter 70How to Use a Snickers Bar

This title sounds stupid, doesn't it? Yes, you could eat the Snickers bar (that's one way to use it, and I love to do that), but I am talking about how to use a Snickers bar to break into a building. That's more like it! So, freeze it and throw it through a window? That is kind of cool, but it's not what I am trying to say here.

Let's back up a bit. I am talking, of course, about breaking into a building using other means, and the Snickers bar is just a way to help. When you are trying to get into a building, one of the easiest methods is to get someone else to help you. If a door is controlled by a security mechanism such as a PIN code or swipe-badge system, and you do not have access, you must get someone who does have access to let you in.

Seems simple, but how do you do that? You can't wait until someone comes up, puts in their code, and says, “You want to come in?” Well, sometimes you can, but most of the time, that won't work. You have to be sneaky!

You can sometimes tailgate: walk behind a person as they approach the door and go through and, if you have closed the gap enough, snatch the door handle before it closes and relocks. This technique can be effective but has its downsides. The biggest issue is when the person going through the door suspects you or glances back and sees you. Sometimes they are nice and hold the door open for you and then, heaven forbid, talk to you! You need an excuse to not be using your badge and not be able ...