McLean Police Commander Asks for Vigilant Neighbors

The McLean Police Commander urges  residents to immediately report any suspicious, unusual, out of the ordinary activity they see in their neighborhoods because a second serial burglar is robbing wealthy neighborhoods.

"We have another serial burglar" who is entering "large residential homes on large lots by forcing the front door," Capt. Steve Thompson said. "The burglaries occur generally from 6-8 pm. Phone lines are cut, Capt. Thompson told the McLean Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC)  recently.  The alarm sounds, but the alarm company receives no call.

Six to seven homes homes in McLean have been robbed, the latest Dec. 24. In West Springfield, 15-20 homes have been robbed, he said.

"We have no idea he is," Thompson said.

"Too often citizens see things but just ignore them," said Bill Trapp, chair of the McLean Citizens Advisory Committee, which is made up of Neighborhood Watch groups. " Many times it is an alert citizen who provides the tip that breaks the case."

From late August to November 2010,  another  burglar entered unlocked occupied homes in wealthy neighborhoods in the northern part of Fairfax stealing cash and personal items from houses in wealthy communities. More than 100  homes were robbed in Northern Fairfax and surrounding counties.

Brad K. Edmonds, age 34, of the 1100 block of Kennebec Street in Oxon Hill was arrested  Nov. 18 in Montgomery County. He was charged with first-degree burglary, attempted first-degree burglary, two counts of malicious destruction of property under $500, two counts of theft between $1,000 and $10,000, two counts of rogue and vagabond, theft under $1,000, fourth-degree burglary tools, possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held on a $425,000 bond at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

Fairfax County police believe that Edmonds also committed the burglaries in the fall in Fairfax. He has not been charged in Fairfax.

Thompson said Thursday that federal firearms charges would probably also be filed against Edmonds. Fairfax County police chief David M. Rohrer said recently  that Edmonds would probably be charged in Fairfax within a month.

"The whole case was by a dog (Bandit) that needed to go out"  a Fairfax County police officer said in January telling the McLean Citizens Advisory Committee  the" of how the alleged first Fairfax serial burglar was arrested in November.

"If it weren't for him (Bandit's owner) calling in the suspicious vehicle we would probably still be looking for it,"  Master Police Officer Patrick Lucas of the Fairfax County Police Crime Prevention Unit, told the citizens committee.

John Speicher, vice chair of the CAC, added, "Because the police cannot be everywhere, neighbors should look out for one another and immediately report any strange or suspicious behavior to the FCPD.  Be prepared to give the call taker the exact address and why, in your opinion, the behavior is strange.  For example, I just saw someone in a ski mask in my neighbors back yard not more than five minutes ago!" he said.

Safety Tips from  Capt. Thompson

• Lock your doors and windows. Make sure the kids lock the doors when they come in.
• Don’t leave your garage door opener in your car. He’s broken into twice as many cars as homes.
• Lock the door form the garage to your house.
• If you have an alarm system, TURN IT ON!
• Close curtains and shades so no one can see who’s in the house and where they are. When you arrive home, turn on the lights then go back outside and see exactly what you see in your house. That’s the same thing a burglar sees.
• Don’t leave your purse in the kitchen.
• Leave lights on inside and outside of the house at night.

If you see someone trying door handles— Call 911.

If you see something suspicious: Call 703-691-2131. It’s a non-emergency number. Tell the operator you are in an area with a rash of burglaries. Have specific information.