Citizen Calls to Police Lead to Arrests for Office Thefts

Citizen calls to police about suspicious incidents don't go unheeded. In fact, several recent calls have resulted in arrests, Capt. David Falcinelli, commander of Montgomery County Police Department's 2nd District (covering Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac), said in a statement.

Last week, a call to police from Security Lane, in North Bethesda, resulted in the arrests of suspects who may be connected to a series of office thefts, Falcinelli reported.

While an arrest was made last month in connection to the office thefts—in which laptops and other office items were stolen—and several cases were closed, the thefts continued, Falcinelli said.

The call from Security Lane came from someone who noticed "several suspicious people lurking in the building," Fancinelli said. "We responded in force and arrested four suspects from the [Washington, DC] and [Prince George's County] areas as they tried to leave [the property]."

Similarly, a Potomac resident called police last week to report suspicious-looking people trying to enter cars. The police responded and arrested two youths who lived in the area, Falcinelli reported.

And, on July 10, a Chevy Chase resident's call to police about two suspects looking into cars brought the police out. While no arrests were made, "that call ... probably scared them away. You helped to make these arrests and prevent additional crime," Falcinelli added.

Still, personal crime prevention remains an issue for the area. 

"Theft from autos remains the No. 1 crime, and the large majority of cases involve unlocked car doors with valuables left in plain sight," Falcinelli said.

His tips for preventing thefts from your vehicle?:

• Lock your doors even if they are parked in your driveway. 
• Remove all valuables and anything that looks like it could be of value.
• Call 911 immediately if you see anyone in your neighborhood late at night who might appear suspicious.