Burglars Target Bethesda Homes During Daytime Hours

Burglaries don't always happen in the dead of night, or when residents are out of town.

Last week, two homes were burglarized in Bethesda between noon and 1 p.m., while the homeowners were working outside in their yards, according to an email statement from Montgomery County Police Second District commander Capt. David Falcinelli.

Both incidents involved a woman entering the homes through unlocked doors.

In one incident—on Fernwood Road in Bethesda on Tuesday, Oct. 16, between noon and 1 p.m.—a homeowner went inside the home after working in the yard and saw the suspect walking through the back yard and carrying a large bag. Later, the homeowner discovered that silver had been taken from a cabinet, and that jewelry had been taken from a bedroom dresser, according to the police.

In the other incident—on Fairfax Road in Bethesda on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 12:30 p.m.—the homeowner found the suspect inside the homeowner's bedroom.

The suspect said she was looking for her lost dog, according to the police.

"The victim told the suspect to leave, but did not make note of the direction taken," and nothing was reported as missing, according to the police.

Falcinelli advised residents "[not to] give any credibility to the story of anyone that you find in or around your home appearing to be lost or looking for a dog."

"These types of criminals come back to Bethesda year after year. Please help us identify them early and make an arrest," he added in the email statement.