Arlington Enhances Overnight Patrols In Response To Break-Ins

ARLINGTON, VA — The Arlington County Police Department is deploying a larger number of police officers across the county to address an increase in home burglaries and auto thefts, the police department said Tuesday.

Many recent cases tied to residential burglaries have occurred in neighborhoods north of Interstate 66. But the department said vehicle break-ins and thefts are being reported in nearly all neighborhoods across the county, typically during the overnight and early morning hours. The suspects, young men or juveniles in most cases, typically target numerous vehicles at a time and steal those found with keys or fobs inside.

In particular, since February, police have investigated five reports of people entering garages through garage door openers found in unlocked vehicles or open garage doors and stealing vehicles from the garage.

In three of the cases, the suspects entered occupied residences connected to the garages, rummaged through items and stole personal property. Police also have investigated two incidents where the suspect forced entry by smashing a window to the residence and stole a vehicle from the property.

As part of their stepped-up efforts, an Arlington police officer saw a group of people trying door handles of parked vehicles in the 1900 block of N. George Mason Drive in early last Friday. Upon seeing the police officer, the group separated and ran from the area.

The county's Emergency Communications Center then broadcast the report of a tampering in progress and officers began to saturate the area. Officers found a vehicle stopped in the 5000 block of Lee Highway attempting to pick up an unknown male who then fled once he saw police. The two occupants of the stopped vehicle were detained.

As officers were conducting their investigation, a black Honda Civic drove past them at a high rate of speed, nearly striking their parked marked police vehicles with emergency lights activated. The unoccupied Civic, which was later determined to be stolen from Fairfax County, was located crashed near N. George Mason Drive and N. Florida Street.

Officers continued to search the area and three other suspects were found and detained.

As a result of the criminal investigation by detectives assigned to the department’s Property Crimes Unit, one juvenile suspect was arrested and charged with felony eluding, grand larceny auto and conspiracy to commit a felony. The investigation into this incident is ongoing and charges are pending against three additional suspects, the department said.

Along with increased patrols, the Arlington police department is promoting the 9 P.M. Routine, a crime prevention campaign that encourages residents to conduct security checks in their homes and vehicles each evening to ensure their property is secure.

Residents are encouraged to set a reminder and at 9 p.m. each evening and then make sure vehicles, residences, garages, windows, gates and sheds have been locked; exterior lights, security cameras and alarm systems have been activated; and valuables from vehicles, including keys, yards and patios have been brought inside.

The department also is using electronic signboards in locations across the county as a high-visibility community reminder to lock vehicles and safeguard personal property.

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