Police Investigate String of Break-Ins in Crystal City

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by ARLnow.com March 11, 2011 at 9:08 am 2,055 13 Comments

Arlington police are investigating a series a break-ins at the Crystal House apartments on South Eads Street in Crystal City.

Building management sent the following email to residents earlier this week to update them on the investigation and to provide tips for keeping the community safe.

Dear Crystal Houses Residents:

I have received further information from the detective investigating the apartment break-ins that took place at our community, and I wanted to provide you with an update.

The police have now released a description of the suspects. They have asked that we please be on the lookout for two African-American males in their 20s, approximately six feet tall, one with dreadlocks. If you see anyone matching this description or have any information regarding this matter, please contact the Arlington County Police Department immediately. If you believe you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911.

As a reminder, we encourage you to let us know if you see anything suspicious taking place at our community as soon as possible. In addition, there are some things we can all do to help deter crime from our community:

Always use your key to enter the building, rather than buzzing in. This allows our concierge to check in guests and require them to sign in. Please note that if you do not use your key, and the Resident Concierge buzzes you in, you will be asked to sign in on the guest log. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Never leave valuables in plain sight in your car or in your apartment home.

Keep your doors properly secured at all times, even when you are at home. Please utilize your deadbolt lock and chain.

Do not allow anyone you do not know to follow you into the building without using a key. Please be aware when allowing individuals to enter the elevator from the loading dock area without a key.

Report any suspicious or criminal activity immediately to the police department or call 911.

Arlington County Police are working diligently to apprehend these suspects that have been implicated in similar crimes at several nearby communities. If you have any specific information to share with the police, you may contact Detective Guevara at 703.228.4172. We will continue to cooperate with the authorities in this matter. Thank you again and please feel free to contact me or any member of our community management staff if you have any questions or concerns.

Yesterday several commercial break-ins — including a break-in at a secure government office building — were reported in Crystal City, but the crimes are not believed to be related to the apartment break-ins.

Update at 10:05 a.m. — Per the reported break-ins yesterday: Arlington Police say that glass was broken at two Crystal Drive storefronts, but nothing was taken. There was no record of the reported government building break-in.

CrystalMikey

Oh joy…get the heck out of my neighborhood thugs!
R.Griffon

> Do not allow anyone you do not know to follow you into the building without
> using a key. Please be aware when allowing individuals to enter the elevator
> from the loading dock area without a key.

This is the big one that people need to remember in order to maintain security in apartments and condos. It’s kinda tough because it runs counter to our desire to be helpful to others and hold the door for them. They should make a bigger deal about this as I believe this is how they get in 90% of the time.
- Nance
  
  +
CW

I’m getting tired of saying this, but…He’s climbin in your windows…
Install Secure Doorlocks

The cops won’t tell you that there is an individual or individuals who pick front and rear door locks, enter your home, pee in the toilet, turn on lights, open closet doors, and leave. Nothing is disturbed or taken. Has been going on for years.

If you have regular old Schlage or Kwikset door locks, they are not, NOT secure. Don’t believe it? Check out the “How to pick Schlage and Kwikset locks” on YouTube.

I installed Schlage Primus key door locks front and rear on my TH. Cost? About $400 per lock. Very difficult to pick.
- Captain Krunchy
  
  Paranoid much, or just a locksmith with surplus inventory? 😉
mapchick

I suspect these are the same guys that burglarized two units in my Pentagon City condo building two weeks ago. They pried open the unit doors because they didn’t have dead bolts protecting them. They tried for a third unit that did have a deadbolt and abandoned it quickly because they were looking for a fast way in and out. Many new deadbolts were installed by my neighbors that week but unfortunately apartment dwellers don’t have the option to just do that.
Yeesh

“They have asked that we please be on the lookout for two African-American males in their 20s, approximately six feet tall, one with dreadlocks. If you see anyone matching this description or have any information regarding this matter, please contact the Arlington County Police Department immediately.”

I’d hate to be a young black male with dreads resident of this building until someone is caught!
Not sure why?

To point out the obvious. An overwhelming majority of incidents involve Latinos and African Americans. Just an observation.
- DouroRouro
  
  Wow, you’re a clever one! How would you like random accusations about other incidents (hit-and-runs?) “overwhelmingly” involving Caucasians? Show some facts if you want to make such an idiotic claim.
  - Bringmetheyuppies
    
    Actually hit and runs seem to primarily involve latinos. Drunken bar fights seem to be the caucasian groove for crime. And they all have brown flip flops, even in the winter!
  - Steve
    
    Want to see some facts? Just look at the Arlington Police Dept. crime reports on their Web site, and tell me how many involve any race other than black. It is about 1/100 ratio.
Happened to Me Too

Someone would pick the lock on the back door (kwikset key) and turned on lights and opened closet doors. Left the back door unlocked. I was going to get a security camera but found a locksmith who installs European deadbolt locks instead. It worked.

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