An ex-con shared his expertise on how you can keep yourself, your family and your home safe from burglars.

Monday night on 11 News at 10 p.m., a reformed crook broke into a Colorado Springs house live with the homeowners’ permission.

In just 2 minutes and 54 seconds, he made away with 6 credit cards, a gun, laptop, digital camera, jewelry, 2 iPods and other valuable items. After he burglarized the home, he drove off in one of the homeowner’s cars. The keys had been left by the front door.

“I thought he would’ve taken the TV, the DVD player, but the credit cards… I am shocked and it’s disturbing to think about,” said Roland, the homeowner.

The crook, “Greg”, got into the house by slipping through an unlocked basement window.

He said that one of the mistakes homeowners make is leaving their windows open during nice weather.

“Greg” was asked to do this assignment with 11 News. He's one of the most notorious crooks to hit Colorado Springs, breaking into 300 homes before he was caught. He doesn't do it any more and served his time decades ago.

Now on the good side of the law, he hopes his secrets open the eyes of all homeowners who think they’re safe.

If you want to learn more about keeping your family and your home safe, the Colorado Springs Police Department is holding a class Tuesday night, May 20. It's at 6:30 p.m. at the Sand Creek Police Substation at 4125 Center Park Drive near Fountain and South Academy. It's free and open to the public.

11 News will have a follow-up to this story Tuesday at 10 p.m.