Potomac — Detectives from the 1st District Investigative Section have been investigating a series of residential burglaries that have occurred since May of 2012, with most of the incidents occurring since August of 2012. Residents in neighborhoods on either side of Travilah Road, south of Darnestown Road in North Potomac, reported daytime and evening burglaries. Entry was often gained by forcing windows and doors. In some cases, suspects would knock on the front door of a target house to see if anyone was home before breaking in.
Investigators believe that more than 30 homes were burglarized during that time period, and typically jewelry, cash and small electronic items such as computers and cell phones were stolen. An estimated $100,000.00 worth of property was stolen in these cases.
On Jan. 8, officers from the 1st District responded to the area of Dufief Mill Road and Lake Winds Way for a suspicious person knocking on doors in the neighborhood. A short time later, officers located a vehicle in the same area with the described suspect as well as three other males. Further investigation revealed that all the individuals in the vehicle were in fact responsible for, or knew about many of the burglaries.
With the assistance of 1st District officers, detectives and the MCP SWAT team, additional suspects were arrested and approximately $45,000 worth of property has since been recovered. The investigation is continuing.
So far, six suspects, three adults and three juveniles, have been arrested and charged in these cases with numerous counts of first-degree burglary, fourth-degree burglary, conspiracy, malicious destruction of property and the associated theft charges.
Detectives are asking anyone with information about these crimes to contact the Rockville Investigative Section at 240-773-6084. Police ask that residents report any suspicious activity, persons or vehicles to police by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line, 301-279-8000.