City Sees Increase in Burglaries

Takoma Park residents saw an increase in burglaries in August, said Takoma Park Police Chief Ronald Ricucci. There were 15 in August, compared with just eight in July.

"I have increased marked and unmarked patrols in neighborhoods," Ricucci said. "This is our number one priority."

All of the burglaries have occurred during the day and early evening, said Andrew Gucciardo, Takoma Park Police Crime Analyst. One woman even walked in on two burglars in the act. They fled the scene.

"We've taken the taken the plainclothes unit from nighttime and moved them to daytime," Gucciardo said.

The most common method of entry has been suspects kicking in doors or using a pry tool, Ricucci said. However, many incidents involved unlocked or open windows or doors. The targeted items have been jewelry and laptops.

Investigations are continuing in all 15 cases, but police could not say if the cases were linked.

In June, a string of eight burglaries were all tied to a single suspect, Gucciardo said. The suspect was tracked down after several victims submitted serial numbers for stolen items that matched items in a North Carolina pawn shop. Police have arrested the suspect, but they are unable to name the suspect until charges are filed, Gucciardo said.

Residents should secure all doors and windows with working locks, trim shrubbery and trees away from windows and doors, keep valuable items out of sight and record serial numbers of items to aid in investigations, Ricucci said.