String of Burglaries
Officers from the Takoma Park Police Department responded to the reports of six residential burglaries on Wednesday September 5th. The incidents appear to be grouped into two separate areas within the City. Two burglaries were reported on Gude Avenue that are believed to have occurred in the days prior to Monday, September 3rd. Computer accessories were taken in both cases. The reports are under case numbers 07049909 and 07050039.
In the second series, which happened at various times throughout the day on Wednesday, September 3rd, houses were burglarized on Hodges Lane, Darwin Avenue, Piney Branch Road, and Albany Avenue. In three of the four cases, entry was made through unlocked doors or windows, usually on the side or rear of the houses. In only one of the four cases was property taken from the residence; a laptop computer. A computer was tampered with in another case, but not taken. The reports are under case numbers 07049999, 07050026, 07050021, and 07050049.
In Wednesday's events, it does not appear that the suspect(s) were particularly skillful in their means of perpetrating the crimes. The ease of entry into the houses should indicate to residents in the City that they need to take basic steps to secure their property when they leave their homes, even for brief errands. People should be observant of others who may be loitering in their neighborhoods, and report suspicious activity to the Police Department, immediately. Parents should also be observant of items that their children may bring home from school, that are known not to belong to them, such as laptops, cell phones, PDA devices, etc.
Details of the individual burglaries will be followed up in the weekly crime blotter.
If you have any information about these cases, please call 301-270-1100 and ask to speak with an investigator. Your information may be valuable to us in solving these crimes.
Catherine E. Plevy
Executive Assistant
Office of the Chief of Police
7500 Maple Avenue
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912