I think anyone assuming that any criminal is obviously smart enough to not make mistakes or do dumb things such as target a house on a cul de sac , is potentially assuming too much.
I think it's plausible for a robbery to occur on a cul de sac. We don't know the age of the potential burglar, but based on height, it's plausible to suggest maybe it's a teen.
You don't have to try and convince me that teens often don't think they will be caught and/or not think things through fully before acting. Inexperience can make such things very plausible. A teen might just try to use that atm card and take that risk that a seasoned criminal might know very well is a big mistake -- maybe even gone to jail himself for being dumb his first few times out.
So, just my own opinion based on it all, but I do believe we have an inexperienced criminal or possibly dumb criminal at work. Yes, I think it's possibly this is late teen early 20's. I make that assumption based on clothing and size. Totally could be wrong obviously, but if I had to make a guess to go with, that'd be it.
So in making that speculation, I have to be willing to accept this is an inexperienced burglar and so dumb things they do might just be that, and not indicating a plan that is more elaborate. ie plot to kill.
all opinion, but I'd say plausible at the same time if you are willing to entertain the theory.
It's certainly possible Riddle thinks of them interchangeable. Sometimes it's easy to read into words that the person saying them didn't give a second thought.
