In my opinion, the redacted word is "unique"
As in, although many similar criminals share many features in their MO, the FIFTY stated links between the VR and the EAR altogether acted as a uniquely identifiable MO...
While he evolved (potentially from the Exeter Ransacker to the Cordova Cat and then) from the Visalia Ransacker to the East Area Rapist, before finally becoming the Original Night Stalker, many elements of his unique MO remained constant.
Theft of rare coins/stamps, blue-chip stamps, stealing loose change and piggy banks but regularly ignoring large amounts of cash. Talking to imaginary accomplices. Stealing single ear rings or cheap jewellery, but ignoring the expensive stuff, leaving multiple "escape routes", the use of canals/drainage systems to move around undetected, using stolen bicycles again and again, removing rear window screens and placing them in unusual places... Targeting numerous houses in the same street in a single night / weekend. Targeting the same victims homes repeatedly, breaking in weeks, months or even years apart. Phone calls before and after the assaults/crimes etc...
MOO...