Spike in Daytime Burglaries Reported In West Bethesda Neighborhoods

Montgomery County police are warning Bethesda residents about a spike in daytime burglaries in neighborhoods near River Road and Massachusetts Avenue, Montgomery County Police Capt. David Falcinelli wrote in a crime update released Wednesday.

Police have noted eight of the burglaries since September, according to the update.

Falcinelli said burglars are targeting jewelry and electronics, and entering homes between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

In one incident, Falcinelli said, burglars triggered an alarm very shortly after the homeowners left, indicating they may have been "casing" the neighborhood. 

Police are stepping up daytime patrols with uniformed and covert officers, Falcinelli said.

Burglars are also targeting homes in nearby Potomac, Patch reported.

Falcinelli also drove home the importance of reporting crimes to police. as Patch first reported.

Read the full crime update at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center blog.