Success Stories
Saving Property. . . And LIVES!
“I thought I would share a success story with you. Yesterday afternoon my department assisted another agency with a missing persons case and located the missing subject’s vehicle at one of our hotels. Patrol had confirmed the missing person was checking into a room, however the subject was not answering the door. For some unknown reason the hotel’s bypass key would not work to open the lock and it was a solid core door with a metal jam – not something that would be easy to force.
I responded and used the under-the-door lever tool and within 1 minute had the door open. The door then stopped because the subject had thrown the extra security latch commonly found on hotel doors. I then used the Lock Jockey tool on that and had that door open in just a few more seconds. The subject was found inside the room, barely breathing and unconscious. He had taken an intentional overdose of multiple medications in a suicide attempt. Within probably another 30 minutes he would have been deceased.
There is no doubt that patrol would have gained access to the room in some fashion, but not near as quickly or damage free as I was able to with the correct tools. The hotel manager was ecstatic when he found out how we gained access, he had already given consent to have the door forced and said it could have cost him over $1000.00 to repair the damage.
Thanks again for your awesome class, I have now used my skills on search warrants, locked safes, and now a welfare check and have been able to get access 100% of the time (so far anyway)! Keep up the good work.”
“I thought I would share a success story with you. Yesterday afternoon my department assisted another agency with a missing persons case and located the missing subject’s vehicle at one of our hotels. Patrol had confirmed the missing person was checking into a room, however the subject was not answering the door. For some unknown reason the hotel’s bypass key would not work to open the lock and it was a solid core door with a metal jam – not something that would be easy to force.
I responded and used the under-the-door lever tool and within 1 minute had the door open. The door then stopped because the subject had thrown the extra security latch commonly found on hotel doors. I then used the Lock Jockey tool on that and had that door open in just a few more seconds. The subject was found inside the room, barely breathing and unconscious. He had taken an intentional overdose of multiple medications in a suicide attempt. Within probably another 30 minutes he would have been deceased.
There is no doubt that patrol would have gained access to the room in some fashion, but not near as quickly or damage free as I was able to with the correct tools. The hotel manager was ecstatic when he found out how we gained access, he had already given consent to have the door forced and said it could have cost him over $1000.00 to repair the damage.
Thanks again for your awesome class, I have now used my skills on search warrants, locked safes, and now a welfare check and have been able to get access 100% of the time (so far anyway)! Keep up the good work.”
Diabetic Woman Saved by Officer & Fire Personnel
“Hey brother have another story for you. We had a check welfare call at these apartments in Awhuatukee (sp). Diabetic lady who wasn’t answering her door or phone and had missed work for a few days. I lockpicked the door in about 4 minutes and we made entry. The lady had a 9 on her blood sugar and was about to check out. Fire managed to get there just in time and transported. She’s now in good health and very grateful. I cant tell you how helpful your class was. Thank you. Possibly a medal of lifesaving in the works!”
“Hey brother have another story for you. We had a check welfare call at these apartments in Awhuatukee (sp). Diabetic lady who wasn’t answering her door or phone and had missed work for a few days. I lockpicked the door in about 4 minutes and we made entry. The lady had a 9 on her blood sugar and was about to check out. Fire managed to get there just in time and transported. She’s now in good health and very grateful. I cant tell you how helpful your class was. Thank you. Possibly a medal of lifesaving in the works!”
Entry Made on Elderly Female Saving Her Life!
“This is the only time I’ve made a wrong call on a [dead body]. The call came out as a [Check Welfare]. Elderly [female] in her 80’s friend had not heard from her for 2 to 3 days, and they usually spoke on a daily basis. She requested we go [check welfare] on her.
I checked all the doors and windows around the property, and they were secure except for the rear sliding glass door. The sliding glass door could only be opened about a 1/4 inch, as it had a rod jamming it closed. We could smell decay coming from the interior of the house through the sliding patio door on the rear of the property, but it would only open a crack. I told my [sergeant] what I had, and he said we could only make entry if we could do so without causing any damage.
I used my bump keys and successfully unlocked the locks to the front door. When we entered the house, we could smell decay, and animals. Officer Stanley and I were clearing the house, and I saw the 80 year old lying naked, face up on the tile living room floor with her eyes and mouth open. Her knees were bent, and her feet were on the floor. From half way down her shin to the floor was purple in color, and it appeared as lividity had set in. Both my partner and I believed her to be [deceased].
I announced Phoenix PD loudly, as we were clearing the house. At that point I observed the [female’s] lips move very slightly, as if she was trying to respond. I told my partner who was not able to see [her] face from behind me. We both rushed to her, and she was not able to move. We had fire dispatched immediately, and they responded.
The [female’s] vitals were off the charts, and fire started a drip immediately. Fire was amazed that she was still with us, and said she would have been gone within hours for sure. She was transported to [John C. Lincoln hospital], and was able to speak with us when we dropped off her garage door remote at the hospital.”
“This is the only time I’ve made a wrong call on a [dead body]. The call came out as a [Check Welfare]. Elderly [female] in her 80’s friend had not heard from her for 2 to 3 days, and they usually spoke on a daily basis. She requested we go [check welfare] on her.
I checked all the doors and windows around the property, and they were secure except for the rear sliding glass door. The sliding glass door could only be opened about a 1/4 inch, as it had a rod jamming it closed. We could smell decay coming from the interior of the house through the sliding patio door on the rear of the property, but it would only open a crack. I told my [sergeant] what I had, and he said we could only make entry if we could do so without causing any damage.
I used my bump keys and successfully unlocked the locks to the front door. When we entered the house, we could smell decay, and animals. Officer Stanley and I were clearing the house, and I saw the 80 year old lying naked, face up on the tile living room floor with her eyes and mouth open. Her knees were bent, and her feet were on the floor. From half way down her shin to the floor was purple in color, and it appeared as lividity had set in. Both my partner and I believed her to be [deceased].
I announced Phoenix PD loudly, as we were clearing the house. At that point I observed the [female’s] lips move very slightly, as if she was trying to respond. I told my partner who was not able to see [her] face from behind me. We both rushed to her, and she was not able to move. We had fire dispatched immediately, and they responded.
The [female’s] vitals were off the charts, and fire started a drip immediately. Fire was amazed that she was still with us, and said she would have been gone within hours for sure. She was transported to [John C. Lincoln hospital], and was able to speak with us when we dropped off her garage door remote at the hospital.”
Successful Lock Pick Saved a Life
“Hey Dan- I just wanted to let you know [another officer] and I took your 2 day lock pick class a couple months back and I remembered you saying you like hearing successful pick stories.
We responded to a [Check Welfare call] in the area of 17th Ave & Peoria in reference to a family member who hadn’t seen or heard from his elderly aunt in 4 days. She is in her mid 80’s and was feared to have passed away. We made it to the back yard and I was able to bump the back door letting us gain entry. We located the elderly female on the ground in the living room. She was in fact alive but was going down hill fast because she had an extreme case of food poisoning. She had fallen trying to make it to the bathroom and had been on the ground for 2-3 days with no food or water. She was also laying in her own bodily waste.
She was immediately transported to JCL Dunlap and expected to survive. Fire and the hospital said if she went any longer she would have died.
Thanks again for teaching us this unique skill which kept us from destroying her home.”
“Hey Dan- I just wanted to let you know [another officer] and I took your 2 day lock pick class a couple months back and I remembered you saying you like hearing successful pick stories.
We responded to a [Check Welfare call] in the area of 17th Ave & Peoria in reference to a family member who hadn’t seen or heard from his elderly aunt in 4 days. She is in her mid 80’s and was feared to have passed away. We made it to the back yard and I was able to bump the back door letting us gain entry. We located the elderly female on the ground in the living room. She was in fact alive but was going down hill fast because she had an extreme case of food poisoning. She had fallen trying to make it to the bathroom and had been on the ground for 2-3 days with no food or water. She was also laying in her own bodily waste.
She was immediately transported to JCL Dunlap and expected to survive. Fire and the hospital said if she went any longer she would have died.
Thanks again for teaching us this unique skill which kept us from destroying her home.”
Homicide Suspect Arrested- Evidence Seized
“I was tasked with finding a Homicide subject after a gang-related shooting. After a few days, the Fugitive Apprehension team with the US Marshals were able to acquire the subject and take him into custody – without being in possession of the murder weapon (handgun). I served a warrant at his house, and encountered a “sophisticated” lock on a lockbox in his closet hidden in a shoebox (it actually had a sticker next to the lock which said “sophisticated”…you know where this is going for sure) . I could smell victory…The Marshals went looking for tools to break open this masterly-crafted “sophisticated” lock, as we all knew we would find evidence inside. I told them to save their steps – I deftly produced the low-priced, high-quality set of pick tools purchased during the Jericho Basic School (an absolute MUST HAVE everyone!) and as the Marshals chuckled under their breath, I defeated the “sophisticated” lock in under five seconds!!!! I opened the box and found the handgun used in the Homicide, ammo of the same caliber used, and THE VICTIM’S SCHOOL ID CARD!!!! Obviously, the interview went well! He is looking at life in prison, and it occurred because I invested in my career and learned what Dan and Patrick taught at Jericho!!!!
Highest marks gentlemen!!!! The victim’s family thanks you as do I!!!!”
“I was tasked with finding a Homicide subject after a gang-related shooting. After a few days, the Fugitive Apprehension team with the US Marshals were able to acquire the subject and take him into custody – without being in possession of the murder weapon (handgun). I served a warrant at his house, and encountered a “sophisticated” lock on a lockbox in his closet hidden in a shoebox (it actually had a sticker next to the lock which said “sophisticated”…you know where this is going for sure) . I could smell victory…The Marshals went looking for tools to break open this masterly-crafted “sophisticated” lock, as we all knew we would find evidence inside. I told them to save their steps – I deftly produced the low-priced, high-quality set of pick tools purchased during the Jericho Basic School (an absolute MUST HAVE everyone!) and as the Marshals chuckled under their breath, I defeated the “sophisticated” lock in under five seconds!!!! I opened the box and found the handgun used in the Homicide, ammo of the same caliber used, and THE VICTIM’S SCHOOL ID CARD!!!! Obviously, the interview went well! He is looking at life in prison, and it occurred because I invested in my career and learned what Dan and Patrick taught at Jericho!!!!
Highest marks gentlemen!!!! The victim’s family thanks you as do I!!!!”
VICTORY!!!
"I work as a Homicide detective with a local Valley agency. I was called out last week for a homicide where the victim was shot, ran some distance, and collapsed and expired in front of an apartment he was trying to get into. I was assigned to process the scene. [My] part took around 7 hours…all the while waiting for an approved search warrant to allow entry into the apartment [to which] the victim was attempting to gain entry. We got the warrant, and my boss set off to get a Patrol supervisor with a ram to respond since no one had a key, and maintenance was nowhere to be found. I reminded him that I had some training in picking into locks, and would like the opportunity to try and open both Kwikset locks. He chuckled (like I was his 4 year old son asking to drive) and said sure AS HE GOT BACK ON THE PHONE WITH PATROL. Fifteen seconds later I had both locks opened!!!! I told him to hang up because his problems were over – He stared at me and told me he didn’t believe me. I re-locked both locks, and told him to start counting…As he was saying “fifteen” I had the second lock open….again. Once inside we discovered information leading to the identity of the suspect, and are currently tracking him for the arrest! Thanks Dan and Patrick!!!!! (And yes, I made my boss buy me lunch)”
"I work as a Homicide detective with a local Valley agency. I was called out last week for a homicide where the victim was shot, ran some distance, and collapsed and expired in front of an apartment he was trying to get into. I was assigned to process the scene. [My] part took around 7 hours…all the while waiting for an approved search warrant to allow entry into the apartment [to which] the victim was attempting to gain entry. We got the warrant, and my boss set off to get a Patrol supervisor with a ram to respond since no one had a key, and maintenance was nowhere to be found. I reminded him that I had some training in picking into locks, and would like the opportunity to try and open both Kwikset locks. He chuckled (like I was his 4 year old son asking to drive) and said sure AS HE GOT BACK ON THE PHONE WITH PATROL. Fifteen seconds later I had both locks opened!!!! I told him to hang up because his problems were over – He stared at me and told me he didn’t believe me. I re-locked both locks, and told him to start counting…As he was saying “fifteen” I had the second lock open….again. Once inside we discovered information leading to the identity of the suspect, and are currently tracking him for the arrest! Thanks Dan and Patrick!!!!! (And yes, I made my boss buy me lunch)”
Thank You! Uses in the Field
“I took your basic lock picking/bypass class in Greeley, CO. I’ve had some recent successful uses in the field. I already told you about picking a lock on a trailer for a welfare check. I’ve also picked two Sentry safes on two separate search warrants, used a Big Easy tool to enter a vehicle, and picked a doorknob lock to get into a closet. Excellent training, and very useful!”
“I took your basic lock picking/bypass class in Greeley, CO. I’ve had some recent successful uses in the field. I already told you about picking a lock on a trailer for a welfare check. I’ve also picked two Sentry safes on two separate search warrants, used a Big Easy tool to enter a vehicle, and picked a doorknob lock to get into a closet. Excellent training, and very useful!”
A Special Thanks
“I wish to thank Jericho for teaching these skills to law enforcement. As a police officer I have used the lock picking skills several times with success. I recently had no access on a check welfare call and used a pick set to gain entry on an Arcadia door. I was able to access a home and bring peace to a concerned family.
I also had a friend get locked out of her car late at night. I made a call to Jericho for vehicle entry tools and Daniel Elting responded on his own time to assist this friend. Daniel and staff set the bar high with this company, 1 st class operation…”
“I wish to thank Jericho for teaching these skills to law enforcement. As a police officer I have used the lock picking skills several times with success. I recently had no access on a check welfare call and used a pick set to gain entry on an Arcadia door. I was able to access a home and bring peace to a concerned family.
I also had a friend get locked out of her car late at night. I made a call to Jericho for vehicle entry tools and Daniel Elting responded on his own time to assist this friend. Daniel and staff set the bar high with this company, 1 st class operation…”