How a Safe Cracker Manipulates a Safe Open

You see it in the movies, the safe cracker—usually a thief—spins a safe’s dial and opens the safe. Maybe the thief uses a stethoscope to listen to the safe mechanism. Phony stuff for the movies, right? Well, not really, it happens in real life. There are a few Master safe and vault specialists who really can open any safe or vault made. Dave Richardson, of Richardson’s Safe & Vault is one of these. Dave has 30 years of experience in his craft and he can open any safe made. You ever look at that massive vault at your bank that is open during business hours? Ever wonder what happens if it malfunctions? Because they do malfunction, and more often than you’d think.

When a bank’s vault fails to open, the bank calls the vault’s manufacturer. And when the vault manufacturer’s technician fails to open the vault, they call Dave Richardson. Yes, just like in the movies, in real life a “safe cracker” can open a bank vault. Dave says he has done it in as little as 20 minutes, and his toughest job ever took all night to open a bank vault.

For smaller safes, like you have at home or a shop keeper may have, there are two basic types: mechanical combination locks and electronic locks. For mechanical combo safes, a specialist like Dave Richardson can often open the safe without any drilling; it’s called “manipulation” when a safe expert opens a safe without drilling. Dave says he can manipulate open a safe about 50% of the time. A safe specialist starts by just feeling the dial and mechanism with their fingers. If they can’t open the safe that way, they can use acoustic devices to help them “hear” what is going on inside the safe’s works. Finally, a safe specialist like Dave Richardson can use special laser devices that detect tiny variations in the vibrations occurring within a safe as they work the combination dial.

So next time you see a safe cracker in the movies, you’ll know that while the technique is probably phony, the reality of safe manipulation is true.

What’s the difference between a company like Richardson Safe & Vault Specialists and an ordinary moving company or locksmith?

What’s the difference between a company like Richardson Safe & Vault Specialists and an ordinary moving company or locksmith? How about listening to what these people have to say:

 “Your expertise in safe cracking is recognized by our agency and your cooperation with the Secret Service has been greatly appreciated."

1. John A. Gill
2. Special Agent
3. Department of the Treasury

United States Secret Service

“During the time that the Glendale Police Department has utilized the services of David Richardson of Richardson Safe and Vault Specialists, Mr. Richardson has been involved in numerous high profile cases resulting in multi-kilo cocaine seizures and monies in excess of 1 million dollars. During all the cases in which Mr. Richardson provided safe opening services, he conducted himself professionally and discretely. Mr. Richardson continues to provide his service on an on-call basis for the Vice and Narcotics Detail and his participation in these cases has never compromised any investigations.”

1. Sgt. Mario Marchman
2. Vice & Narcotics Detail
3. Special Investigation Bureau

Glendale Police Department

“I had my first opportunity to meet Dave and utilize his services when we seized alarge safe while executing a search warrant during a drug lab and illegal firearms investigation. He was referred to us by another Law Enforcement Agency and responded promptly to our call. He displayed an ‘I can do it attitude’ and proceeded to open a very tough, old safe.”

1. Julian S. Miranda
2. Chief of Police
3. City of Irwindale

“Dave and his team arrived, and with years-of-practiced precision, surgically removed the iron giant from my new house, unfazed by a dozen steps, sharp turns, and the 45 degree incline driveway; the right people, the right tools, and the right experience. Moving a safe should be in the pantheon of ‘don’t-try-this-at-home’ activities. Except when the safe actually IS in your home... Then, you call Dave Richardson & Company."

Mark M.

Homeowner

Los Feliz

Planning to Move ? Guide for moving safes and vaults the right way.

Having opened and moved safes and vaults for over 25 years, Richardson Safe and Vault has experienced it all. To help your safe or vault move go well, a little planning can save you money and time. The best safe or vault move is a well planned safe or vault move.

To get the most accurate quote, before you call, make sure you can tell the safe mover the following information:

• Is this a residential or business safe or vault move?
• What type of safe or vault is being moved, burglary safe, jewelry safe, gun safe, business vault, or ATM?
• What is the brand name of the safe or vault being moved?
• Where is the safe or vault located and to what address is it being moved?
• Will the safe or vault have to moved up or down stairs?
• What kind of floors will the safe or vault be moved over, both at the initial location and at the new moved to location?
• Is this a combination or electronic safe?
• Can you open the safe, or will the safe need to be opened (cracked)?

This information will help ensure you get the best and most damage free move possible. The type and brand of safe tells the safe mover what equipment they will need. If stairs are involved, the best safe movers will have special equipment that move even very heavy safes or vaults up and down stairs safely and with no damage. Knowing what type of floors are involved, the best safe and vault movers will bring special equipment that is designed specifically to move safes across wood, tile, or carpeted floors without damage.

Safes MUST be empty for a safe move, otherwise contents can shift during the move and unbalance the safe which can be very dangerous. So you should plan on having the safe empty and open when the safe or vault mover arrives. It needs to be open because the best safe and vault movers will insist on verifying that the safe is empty.

If you cannot open the safe, a real safe and vault specialist can open it for you. Safe and Vault specialists are not just moving companies, they service and open safes too. If you have lost the combination, or your electronic safe isn’t working, then the specialists will ensure that a professional safe cracker is part of your move. The best safe crackers can open your safe or vault with no damage to it, and ensure that it is working again and that you have access to the safe contents after the move.

The last thing you need to do may sound obvious, make sure your safe or vault will fit through all of the doors and passageways at both ends of the move. Richardson Safe and Vault has arrived at moving sites where the residence has been remodeled or the business had improvements after a safe was installed. And yes, some of these changes have resulted in openings or hallways too narrow for the safe to fit through! If you’re not 100% sure that the safe or vault will fit, or if you have special concerns such as construction or structural issues, the best safe and vault movers like Richardson Safe and Vault, for an additional fee, will come to your site or sites and evaluate them prior to the move.

Plan ahead and enjoy a safe and damage free moving experience.