I just told my hubby about this, and this is what HE told me!

Many years ago, before my son was born, the house next door was falling apart, and eventually was torn down.

While I was at work one day (and he never told me this), a crew came to the mess there, and plugged into our porch. We have an outlet there for lights. Well, he saw this, and went outside.
It seems they could not access any power and were milling around. He eventually told them that that plug was on a light
sensor for the front stairs lights. So in the daylight it was inactive.
It would only work in the dark.

So he gave them what for...and they left. So I guess this is more common than people believe or understand.

I would have been much more strident, and perhaps called the police. But that is just me.
Hubby didn't tell me at the time, because he knew how stressed out I was at work. I just hate finding out this way... but that is his STYLE.