First 15 Minutes: What Matters

You start Crime Simulator in debt. The game throws you into a tutorial that teaches the core loop: find a house, break in, steal valuables, sell them, repeat. The tutorial is short but skipping its lessons on lockpicking and stealth will cost you later.

After the tutorial, you have a hideout, a crowbar, and zero cash. Every heist starts from this room.

Your First Job

Pull up the job board at your hideout. It lists available houses and their estimated loot value. Start with the lowest-risk target -- usually a small suburban house with minimal security.

Before you go:

• Bring the crowbar (your only tool initially)
• Check the time of day (night gives better cover)
• Note the house layout from the job description

Breaking In

Approach the house from the rear or sides. Windows and back doors are easier than the front. Use the crowbar on weak entry points. Once inside:

1. Crouch near windows to avoid being spotted
2. Head toward valuables -- electronics, cash, jewelry
3. Watch for NPCs inside the building
4. Exit before the police arrive

The police system triggers based on noise and visibility. A broken window or a seen silhouette increases your heat. Stay quiet, stay dark, and you will clear the house clean.

Selling Your First Haul

Every map has a fence who buys stolen goods. Find them on the map -- they are marked with a dollar icon. Drag items from your inventory to the sell window. Not all items are worth the same; electronics and jewelry sell for significantly more than household junk.

Tool Priority After First Run

With your first payout around $500-$1,000 based on community reports, buy in this order:

1. Basic lockpick set (unlocks locked doors without noise)
2. Flashlight (many interiors are dark, missing loot costs you money)
3. Sleeping gas (neutralizes a single NPC without alerting others)

Do not waste money on cosmetic items or base furniture early. Every dollar goes into tools that enable better heists.

Avoiding the Police

Getting caught means a chase. If police spawn:

• Break line of sight and hide in a closet or bathroom
• Stay still until the search timer expires
• Do not sprint while hiding (footsteps are audible)
• If you escape, lay low for a few minutes before your next job

A single arrest costs you all unsold loot and a chunk of your cash. That is a setback you cannot afford early on.

Progression Checklist

Once you have done all five, you are ready for medium-security houses and your first skill leaflet hunt.