Craziest Criminal Acts Caught on Camera

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have gained popularity worldwide, and while its use has been mostly for security purposes, there has been much debate over its ethics among citizens, specifically the potential intrusion of one’s privacy. Despite these concerns, implementing these surveillance systems can and has benefitted societies more than it has harmed them. Video footage from security cameras has aided in catching criminals committing horrific crimes, and it continues to do so to this day. Furthermore, the footage caught by these devices has been used in criminal investigations to help make communities safer. In this article, we’ll discuss  some of the craziest criminal acts caught on surveillance videos. Let's find out what these criminals got up to. \r \r 1. Grand Theft Livestock\r \r Stealing livestock may not be the most popular crime among up-and-coming gangsters, but it is a real thing, and it has a name; Grand theft of Livestock. In 2011, two individuals were caught stealing cows from a ranch in Florida, and the act was seen on the company’s surveillance cameras. Unfortunately for the ranch, its cattle were sold at an auction and sent to be butchered before the perpetrators were caught and made to answer for their crimes. According to Florida Statute 812.014, the crime is punishable by 5 years in prison and $10,000 per animal. If harm came to the animal, it is punishable by 12 months in jail in addition to a $5,000 fine.\r \r 2. The Naked Cowboy\r \r In 2014, a thief wearing only a cowboy hat terrorized Georgia when he broke into several houses across the state. The cowboy, 21-year-old Ashdon Gibbs, was eventually arrested on more than a dozen charges, which included two counts of burglary, criminal trespass, impersonating a police officer, as well as indecent exposure. One of the homes he broke into belonged to city councilwoman, Cori Davenport, who was at her residence with her daughter when Gibbs broke in. Police found him up the street wearing clothing he stole from one of Cori’s neighbors. Surveillance footage revealed that Gibbs went as far as drinking a beer, cooking himself a meal, and watching an Atlanta Braves baseball game in some of the houses he had invaded.\r \r 3. The Police Thief\r \r In 2017, during Hurricane Irma, a man called into the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office in North Carolina, concerned for his 85-year-old father’s wellbeing. When they arrived at his home, the father was found injured and was transported to a hospital. Later on, a deputy,  Jason Cooke, who was not involved in the welfare check broke into the home and rummaged through the house. The officer was caught on surveillance footage allegedly opening containers and placing the contents into his pockets. He resigned after he was accused of stealing a dying man’s medication.\r \r 4. Difficulty Breathing\r \r North Carolina native, Maggie Dixon, brought her infant son to the Levine Children’s Hospital in 2017, claiming he suffered from pneumonia. While the child was recovering, the medical staff noticed that the infant only had trouble breathing when Dixon was alone. Surveillance tapes later revealed that Dixon had tried to smother her child four times with a pillow in 15 minutes. She was then arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder.\r \r 5. Electronic Footprint\r \r One of the most widely-known cases solved with the help of surveillance is the disappearance of Suzanne Pilley in 2010 on her way to work in the center of Edinburgh, Scotland. Although her body was never found, her slayer, David Gilroy, was convicted two years later because different surveillance devices captured his actions. Gilroy learned the hard way that CCTV footage, mobile phone records, emails, and shop receipts leave behind an "electronic footprint."\r \r