Brain Test 5 Level 82

Overview

This is a stop-the-burglar puzzle spread across three notebook pages. The page reads "Stop him!" and shows a burglar in a striped shirt holding a knife, chasing a frightened blonde woman across a grassy yard. A shovel lies on the ground, a wheelbarrow sits to the right, and a small metal post sticks out of the grass. The overall approach is to use the available yard tools to stop the burglar before he reaches the woman.

• Difficulty: Regular
• Estimated moves: 3

Step-by-Step Solution

1. First, assess the tools on the ground. The shovel is the most useful item — you can dig a hole in the path of the burglar, or you can use the shovel itself as a defensive tool.
2. Drag the shovel over to the path the burglar is running on. Dig a shallow trench or hole right in his running line. He will trip and fall into it, stopping his advance.
3. Alternatively, push the wheelbarrow into the path between the burglar and the woman. The wheelbarrow acts as a physical barrier.
4. The metal post in the grass could also be used — drag it into the path as a barrier, or tie the burglar to it once he is stopped.
5. Once the burglar is stopped — either by falling into a hole or being blocked by the wheelbarrow — the woman is safe. A green checkmark appears to confirm he has been stopped.
6. On later rounds, the scene changes and the burglar may be inside a house. Use whatever objects are available in that room to block him or distract him.

Strategy & Reasoning

The puzzle is about improvising defensive tools from the environment. The burglar has a knife, so you cannot fight him directly. The shovel and wheelbarrow are the only objects that can create a barrier or a trap. The optimal strategy is to dig a hole in his path — this is the most effective way to stop a running attacker without getting close.
Alternatives like pushing the woman out of the way or tapping the burglar do nothing. The level requires you to actively manipulate the environment: move the shovel, dig, place barriers. The post is a secondary tool for tying him up after he falls.
If digging a hole seems too slow — the burglar is already running — push the wheelbarrow first as an immediate barrier. The wheelbarrow is heavy and will stop him in his tracks. Then use the shovel to dig a deeper hole if he tries to go around. The key is to act fast: every second counts before he reaches the woman. On later rounds inside the house, look for furniture, doors, or household items that can serve as barriers.

Tips & Common Mistakes

• Do not try to fight the burglar directly; he has a knife and the woman is defenseless. Use the environment to stop him.
• Do not forget the shovel can dig a hole, not just be carried; you need to place it in his running path to make the trap work.
• Do not leave the wheelbarrow on the side; push it into the path as a barrier if digging is not enough.