Crime Alert; Residential Burglaries - Community Advisory

During the month of August, there have been three residential burglaries. I have included information below when and where these burglaries have occurred. The information was prepared by our Crime Analyst, Andrew Gucciardo. The list indicates method of entry and items stolen. The most common method of entry has been made by suspect(s) forcing open doors or breaking windows. The target items have been various; but include cash, televisions, computers and iPads. All of the burglaries have occurred mostly during the morning hours and during the weekdays.
Investigations continue into these burglaries, however, each resident can do their part to reduce their chances of being a victim, including but not limited to securing all doors and windows with working locks, trimming shrubbery and trees away from windows and doors, keeping valuable items out of plain sight, recording serial numbers of items to aid in investigations, and lastly, report all suspicious person(s) and/or vehicles to the police immediately. Please see below for Burglary Prevention Tips.
Case #12039437
Date: August 10, 2012
Time: 6:50 a.m. – 7:11 a.m.
Address: 7100 block of Woodland Avenue
Entry: Rear door forced
Property taken: None
Case #12040145
Date: August 14, 2012
Time: 8:34 a.m.
Address: 400 block of Ethan Allen Avenue
Entry: Window broken
Property taken: TV, Bose Sound dock, LG Home Blueray Home Theater System
Case #12040240
Date: August 14, 2012
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Address: 400 block of Beech Avenue
Entry: Window, screen removed
Property taken: Cash, two Apple MacBooks, Sony Camcorder, Nikon Camera, iPad
BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS:
Burglary is an opportunist crime. A burglar will select his target because it offers him the best opportunity to carry out his crime undetected and with the fewest number of obstacles in his way. A home that presents itself as insecure is far more likely to be targeted than one which is properly secured. Please review the following in order to protect your home and your valuables:
1. The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes! Report burglaries immediately!
2. Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence. If you have not checked your house, let the police check it for you. Leave the house and call the police.
3. It’s important to keep a list of serial numbers and/or receipts of all electronic equipment, i.e., televisions, stereos, cell phones, iPods, computers, as well as a list of items that are easily sold or pawned, i.e., jewelry, collectibles. Photographs or video tapes are always useful to keep a record of what you own (and insurance companies would also find this useful and convenient). Update your list periodically and do not leave it in the residence, if possible. Use an engraving pen to write your current driver's license number on your property. Burglars don't want marked merchandise.
4. Make it time-consuming for a burglar to break into your home - secure your residence! Sometimes installing deadbolt locks on all exterior doors or windows will deter a criminal; they don’t want to spend too much time in one place. Check and double-check that all doors and windows are shut and locked before you leave the house; even if you are leaving for a short period of time.
5. Display "Beware" signs. If you have a dog or an alarm system, put up signs that say you do. They do deter thieves.
6. When you leave your residence, do not leave valuables in plain sight. For instance, if your dining room table is within view of a window, don’t leave a laptop computer sitting there. When possible, pull shades or curtains so that property cannot be seen from outside the residence.
7. Be one step ahead of the burglar – case your own home and look for easy ways into your home and then take appropriate measures to correct it. (see Home Security Surveys below).
8. If you see someone suspicious who does not belong in your neighborhood, call the police. If you see a suspicious vehicle, call the police. Write down the license plates of any suspicious vehicles. Write down a description of any suspicious persons. You can never be too careful. A lack of information on suspects can hinder an investigation.
9. Burglars in most instances will case a neighborhood or the routine of residents. Every once in a while, leave at a different time. Change your routine to throw the burglar off. If you are not consistent, how can they be?
10. Burglars know where to look for hidden keys. Do not leave one.
11. If you do encounter a burglar in your home, please attempt to secure yourself in a room where you have access to a phone and immediately contact police. Do not confront suspect(s) or attempt to fight and/or chase after suspect(s).
These tips are not intended to scare or frighten anyone, however, crime is a fact of life everywhere. As partners, we can discourage criminals from targeting certain areas. We can make it hard for them.
Home Security Surveys
Takoma Park Police offer a home security survey free of charge. A residential security survey is an inspection of your home, performed by a police officer, in an effort to identify possible improvements to the physical security of your residence and to review personal safety and security habits. The goal is to decrease the likelihood that you might be victimized by a crime. Home security surveys are offered to homeowners living in the City of Takoma Park, by appointment. They generally take about an hour of your time and can be set up during evening hours. To schedule a security survey and a review of personal safety issues, contact our Community Outreach Program officer, Carla Magnaye, at 301.891.7121 or 301.270.1100. You can also e-mail her at carlam@takomagov.org. Let’s make a difference together. Let’s demonstrate to the criminals that we are putting them on notice that they will be caught!