Break-in break

Burglary, also called breaking and entering — and sometimes housebreaking — is illegally entering a building or other areas to commit a crime. Usually that offense is theft, but most jurisdictions include others within the ambit of burglary.

This kind of crime has been present since ancient times, and

perpetrators usually leave traces and evidence that they had ransacked the house as if they want everyone to know that they were there.

Usually, criminals also go back to the scene of the crime once it is discovered to see if police can deduce what really happened, and some of them do it to boost their criminal ego.

Depending on the circumstances of the crime, burglary can be classified as third-, second-or first-degree felonies, with maximum sentences of five years, 15 years and life, respectively.

But, of course, house burglars — as criminal as they can be — are still only human and sometimes, breaking and entering can take a toll on them.

Or so it was in the case of a man who was caught taking a break after breaking into a home.

Authorities say they received a peculiar call for service for a burglary. Shortly before 7 p.m. on a Wednesday, officers were informed that a man had broken into a home on SW Quail Heights Terrace, and they scrambled to make sure they would be able to apprehend the suspect.

But while police were making their move, the suspect — identified as Jay Knight — was blissfully unaware of his impending predicament.

Reports say Knight decided to watch some television — maybe to just while the time away.

When the homeowners returned, they found Knight lying on their couch while watching TV, adding the suspect had even put on clothing he had found inside the home.

Police arrived and found Knight attempting to leave the area, but he was nabbed.

The suspect was detained and admitted to kicking in the door.

Knight took several items from the residence and put them in a bag placed by the door before he began watching TV, police said.

Knight is charged with burglary, petty theft and criminal mischief. His bond is set at $12,000.

Like they say, crime does not pay, but nowhere in the police’s wildest dreams did a criminal pause in his dastardly deed to take a break and watch TV.