Burglar Running Loose In Reston Area: Police

RESTON, VA -- Police are warning locals to be vigilant due to a burglar or burglars who appear to be hitting multiple homes in the area over the last two months, and in a bizarre twist, the targets have been mostly people of Asian or Middle Eastern descent.

Police say there have been 13 residential burglaries in the McLean, Reston, and Fair Oaks police districts over that time span. Five of them were near Reston in Great Falls, Vienna, and Oakton.

"The burglaries have primarily been during the early afternoon and evening hours," reads a report from the Fairfax County Police Department. "The majority of victims have been of Asian or Middle Eastern descent. Detectives are investigating whether all of these incidents are connected and whether other burglaries from across Fairfax County are related."

Police are offering the following tips for homeowners:

• Keep all doors and windows closed and locked.
• Secure sliding glass doors by placing a metal rod or a wooden dowel rod in the track.
• Lock the door to an attached garage.
• Make your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, to help deter criminals.
• Keep the perimeter of your home well lit.
• Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away.
• landscaping trimmed away from entrances and walkways.
• Organize or join a Neighborhood Watch program.
• Get a free home security check from a Crime Prevention Officer.
• Keep an inventory of your property.
• Store ladders, tools and any other outside objects in a locked shed or garage.
• Make sure the home’s address is visible for police, firemen and paramedics.

Image via FCPD