Home Security
Mug-In

Mug-In: An attacker ambushes you outside your home security and forces you inside. You might be gardening, leaving, or followed home. It’s similar to a push-in, but begins while you’re outside, farther away from the door.

Officials believe he follows women home before attacking them. "When the victims open their door, he produces a handgun and forces his way inside.
Excerpted from KSAT-TV San Antonio – 22 January 2004

She pulled into her driveway after midnight, and saw a man crouching behind her car. In seconds, he had a knife to her throat, and raped her.
Excerpted from The South Florida Sun-Sentinel – 03 August 2004

The elderly couple was returning to their home. The robber met them in their driveway with a lost dog story, pulled out a knife and forced them inside.
Excerpted from KTRK-TV13 Houston – 27 August 2004

Five men ambushed a man in his driveway. Once inside, the man's entire family was handcuffed at gunpoint while their home was ransacked.
Excerpted from WMC-TV5 Memphis - 17 September 2006

The victim reported he was followed home by a car but thought nothing of it until a man with a handgun approached him demanding money and forced him inside. Another resident of the home stated she was awakened by a man demanding money.
Excerpted from The Bainbridge Post Searchlight (GA) – 16 December 2006

Police are searching for two women for a violent attack and robbery. The two women approached another woman who was standing outside her apartment, forced the woman inside, then punched and robbed her.
Excerpted from CBS-13 Modesto CA – 19 June 2007

As Anna returned home and unlocked her door, a man suddenly appeared behind her, put a knife to her throat, and shoved her inside. Once inside, he spun around to lock the door behind them. In that instant, Anna ran to her bedroom while overturning furniture in her wake to slow his pursuit. ... Deadbolting the solid door behind her, she pushed a panic button, setting off her home security outdoor siren. He fled. Anna was safe in her fortified bedroom (described in Safe Room).

As with a Push-In, do not go inside with him! You’re better off outside where he has fewer options. Whatever violence he’s willing to use outside will be worse inside. Do not believe any of his promises. Criminals lie.

If anyone seems to be following you home, don’t go home. Circle the block to see if you’re still being followed. If so, go to an active public place and stay in your car while blowing the horn.

When you do go home, look around before exiting your car. Hold Pepper Spray at the ready. And, since you already have your car-keys in hand, keep your thumb on your car horn’s panic-button remote-control pocket fob. You can also get a remote-control keyless door lock for a quicker entry into your home.

Or, if you happen to be working in the yard when danger arises, you can have a remote-control pocket fob for your home alarm system.

See Alarm Systems

Go to
• Home Security - Overview
• Break-In: Most homes are easy to invade. Make yours burglarproof.
• Walk-In: Half of all home invasions are through unlocked doors and windows! It's easy to always keep them locked at all times with the guidance in the Security Products Buying Guide: Home - Intro (below).
• Push-In: Never blindly open the door when someone knocks. If you are pushed-in, do not stay inside with him (even if other family members are home) – flee to the outside for help. See Hostage Taking. Better to use an intercom from www.smarthome.com.
• Mug-In: If you’re ambushed outside your home and ordered to go inside, do not go! As with a push-in, you’re better off outside. See Kidnapping. (YOU’RE NOW ON THIS PAGE)
• Scam-In: Do not open the door, not even an inch, to any stranger - no matter what they say - scam-artists are master manipulators (see Push-In above).
• Cracks in Security: subtle variations of Break-In, Walk-In, Push-In, Mug-In, and Scam-In home intrusions.
• College - Apartment & Dormitory Security: staying safe despite careless roommates.
• Good Neighbors: the final layer of home protection.
• Security Product Buying Guide: Home - Intro
• Door Reinforcement
• Window Reinforcement
• Garage & Yard Reinforcement
• Simple Home Electronics
• Alarm Systems
• Flaws in Electronic Security
• Apartment & Dormitory Security
• Safe Room
• Recap: for a quick summary of this entire section.

Safeguard your home security even if you live in Sleepy Valley - predators like to prowl where the prey least expects them.

Prevent the vast majority of home intrusions - whether by burglar or invader - by making sure all your family members use these home security strategies. Of course, predators will always find prey – but the most cautious targets will be spared.

Return to
Home Security - Overview
Crime-Safety-Security Home Page