Does the profession of real estate sales turn someone into a burglar, or, does a burglar one day realize, "Hey, I can make off like a bandit if I sell homes!"?

Ray Glen Greene, 49, was a real estate agent in Cobb County, Georgia, who'd use his agent keycode to get into houses and steal valuables. He was sentenced to 20 years.

His sob story was that he hadn't sold any homes in a year and pawned stolen jewelry to support himself. He even apologized to the victims who showed up at his trial.

If that's not entertaining enough, there's the case where a real estate agent, 60-year-old Stephen Brumme, stole women's clothes from a house for sale, prior to a showing, while the occupants were out of town. The crime was caught on video. Police believe that such crimes occur more often than people realize.

How can you prevent crimes like these?

• Install a video surveillance system. Though fake cameras are effective deterrents to break-ins once they're spotted by the would-be thief, should a brazen thief bust in anyways, a fake camera won't catch anything. A real camera at least will catch the crime on tape, which you'll need for evidence.
• Security cameras can also set off sounds and lighting, plus also alert the homeowner with a text message or phone call.
• Technology (such as Dropcam) is available that allows you to view just what's happening inside and outside your house, and in real time.
• The investment in a surveillance system will go beyond protection and evidence. It will add value to your home. Some insurance plans even give discounts if your home has a good security system.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.