Arrest Made In Bethesda Burglaries

Montgomery County police have arrested a Washington, D.C. resident in connection with two attempted residential burglaries in Bethesda, according to a police press release.

The man may be connected to other burglaries in the area, police said. The second district, which includes Bethesda, Chevy Chase, North Bethesda and Kensington, Patch reported this week.

William Martin Westray, 46, of the 5000 block of Jay Street in Northeast Washington, was arrested Jan. 7 and charged with two counts of attempted first degree burglary and two counts of possession of burglary tools, police said.

The incidents included an attempted burglary Jan. 3 on Overhill Road in Bethesda, during which a woman on the second level of her home heard banging and breaking glass coming from downstairs. The woman saw a white, older model vehicle leaving her home, and when police arrived to investigate, they found a basement window broken. The suspect didn’t gain entry, police said.

Police have also named Westray in a Jan. 5 attempted burglary on River Road in Bethesda, during which they say a homeowner saw a man trying to open a basement door. The man fled after the homeowner yelled out, police said, getting in a car parked in a neighbor’s driveway and driving away.           

When police arrived to investigate, a basement window screen had been removed from the home, and the victim was able to provide police with a tag number of the car he saw driving away. Police say the suspect didn't enter the home.

Based on the description and information given to them by the victim, police developed Westray as a suspect.

Westray was released from custody after posting $10,000 bond, and detectives are continuing to investigate his potential involvement with other burglaries.