Kirkside Drive:
On Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 7:25 p.m., Village and County police officers responded to a home on Kirkside Drive between Center Street and Oliver Street for a forcible burglary that was just discovered. Investigation revealed that the homeowners had gone away for the weekend on Friday morning, and upon returning to their home on Sunday evening, they discovered that a rear door had been forcibly kicked in, and that the home had been ransacked. Several items of jewelry and electronics were taken by the burglar(s). The homeowners had not requested a house check. The home also had an alarm system, but it had not been turned on.

A Montgomery County police crime scene technician responded and processed the scene for latent evidence. Montgomery County detectives will be conducting the follow-up investigation.

Hesketh Street:
Today (Monday, September 19, 2016) at 10:52 a.m., Village officers responded to an alarm call on Hesketh Street between Magnolia Parkway and Cedar Parkway. Upon arrival one minute later, an officer spotted someone through a basement window. The suspect disappeared deeper into the basement and a moment later, he emerged from a door on the opposite side of the house. From the front of the house, the arriving backup officer caught a glimpse of the suspect as he ran toward the rear corner of the back yard. The suspect jumped over a fence in the back yard and quickly disappeared.

As the initial two Village officers secured the house (it was unknown if additional suspects might still be inside the home), additional Village and County officers arrived quickly and established a perimeter in an attempt to locate the suspect. DC police were also notified to assist on their side of the border. Two K-9 teams—one from the Sheriff’s Office and the other from the County Police—and multiple patrol officers searched for the suspect unsuccessfully.

Investigation revealed that electronics were stolen. County detectives and crime scene techs responded to this event, as well. County detectives will conduct the follow-up.

Residents are urged to:
• Request a house check upon leaving for longer than 24 hours;
• Activate alarm systems (and consider upgrading your system to include cameras);
• Request the Village Police to conduct a security survey to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your home’s security;
• Record serial numbers of your valuable electronics and other items;
• Photograph your jewelry and any other non-serialized valuables;
• Call the Village police immediately if you see anyone or anything that makes you suspicious—we will respond right away and investigate.