I read these things and realize that statistically there must be 'non idiot' criminals out there. And I am guessing that they just profit day in and day out.
In other less ideal situations especially with institutionalized corruption or shaky monopoly on violence such that it can not only pay better but effectively drag them into crime like to run an otherwise perfectly honest business you need goons to not be under someone's racket/pay bribes to operate and maintaining them becomes a slippery slope to collect protection money or forcing out competitors.