Two More Burglaries Continue Trend

A string of burglaries in Takoma Park continues a trend set in August. Takoma Park residents saw an increase in burglaries in August, said Takoma Park Police Chief Ronald Ricucci. There were 16 in August compared to just eight in July. And only three days into September there have been two more, both on Sept. 2.

At around 12:07 p.m. there was a report of a burglary in the 7200 block of Willow Avenue. The burglar cut a front window screen and pushed open. Exit was made out the rear of the house. A K-9 track was conducted, which led police to Carroll Avenue and Park Avenue where the burglar left behind three mountain bikes and a backpack.

The same day police responded to the 200 block of Philadelphia Avenue. The burglar entered through a bedroom window. The burlary is related to the earlier one on Willow Avenue, Police say.

No arrests have been made in the 18 cases since the beginning of August.

Police are upping patrols to try to deal with the problem.

"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.

"We've taken the taken the plain clothes unit from night time and moved them to daytime," Gucciardo said.

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