After posting the story about DC police arresting a suspect for the Dupont-area rooftop burglaries (below), I received the following message from MPD 2D Commander Matthew Klein regarding statements made at the ANC 2B/Dupont meeting last night by a member of the PSA 208 force. The officer’s statements were posted to U Street News on Yahoo! Groups in an email from ANC 2B Chairman Mike Silverstein. The following statement is from Commander Klein:
“We arrested a burglar and the case is now being investigated by detectives who are trying to ascertain which burglaries can be associated with him. Any connection to burglaries in which rooftops were used to gain entry into homes are being actively investigated by detectives at this time.”
The local rooftop burglar–or at least a rooftop burglar–made another attempt early on Friday, July 24 at 1:30 a.m. in Borderstan. However, he was foiled when the resident of the house in the 1500-block of Church Street NW heard him and scared him away.
According to MPD 2nd District, “Unknown subject(s) pried the lock to the skylight and entered the house. The complainant heard the noise coming from the third floor and yelled. The subject(s) fled out of the house through the skylight and ran westbound on the rooftop. Nothing was obtained from the house.”
Additional crimes from the past several days in the area are below. Notable crimes include robberies, assaults, burglaries and stolen autos.
I got this Police Alert this evening from MPD’s Police Service Area (PSA) 208. There was an attempted burglary this afternoon on the 1700-block of P Street NW, apparently by rooftop. (more…)
There was another attempt at a burglary-via-rooftop… on Saturday at 3:45 p.m. on the 1600-block of Swann Street NW. Yes, broad daylight. Details below, followed by safety tips from MPD.
From MPD 2D: “This afternoon [Saturday, March 28], there was an attempt First Degree Burglary in the 1600-block of Swann Street NW, at approximately 3:45 pm. A suspect was observed on the roof of an apartment building armed with a crow bar and attempting to access the sky light. The residents observed his activityand called the police. The lookout is for a black male, 40s to 50s,bearded and wearing light clothes.”
- Please call the police whenever you observe suspicious activity in your community.
- Also, establish a phone tree with your neighbors, who may call the police when they observe suspicious activity in close proximity
to your home.
Just saw this on the Washington City Paper’s City Desk News blog: “Dupont’s Rooftop Burglar: Still on the Loose.”
D.C. police today cordoned off the 1700 block of Corcoran Street NW thinking they had a bead on the burglar(s) terrorizing via roof and skylights the residents of Dupont Circle and adjacent neighborhoods. But he got away.
All I can say is… this guy is good. Read entire posting.
The Duplex Diner is on 18th Street NW just north of U/Florida. (Image: Duplex Diner Web site.)
NBC-Channel 4 has the story about a burglar who tried to rob Duplex Diner at 2004 18th Street NW after entering through the rooftop hatch.
- The good news: Police caught the burglar.
- The bad news: Police do not think this guy is responsible for the string of Dupont-area of home burglaries through rooftops.
- The story’s wild twist: The Duplex Diner owner was across the street having a drink and saw the burlar enter the diner!
- The quote: “[The hatch] hasn’t been used since a drag queen dropped down through it during our 10th anniversary,” said owner Eric Hirshfield.
Borderstanians: An alert/warning from Police Service Area (PSA) 208:
On Sunday, March 1, 2009, a rooftop incident was reported in the 1700-block of Q Street NW. While the suspect did not appear to have entered the residence–and nothing appears to have been stolen–residents should be aware of this occurrence.
Borderstanians: The following information on securing rooftop hatches and skylights, and fire escapes is from Police Service Area (PSA) 208. The following information is also in a PDF, which includes illustrations.
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Disclaimer from PSA 208: The following information was collected via open sources for educational purposes only. The information, as seen below, is intended to provide suggestions concerning the following subject matter. Any portion whether in part or whole is not intended to supplement a professional’s opinion or advice on the following subject matter.
Borderstanians: A Police alert from late this afternoon.
Alert from the Metropolitan Police Department Second District
Today, 02/24/09, at approximately 4:55pm a residential burglary was reported. The incident occurred in the 1700 block of Q Street NW at 4:30pm. At this time, it appears the suspect gained entry via a roof top entrance (still be investigated). We are working diligently to capture this suspect, and we ask for your assistance in securing your residence (please pay close attention to skylights and entrances). In addition, if you observe any suspicious activity in this area, please call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have any past information that you believe might be related to this incident, please call the Second District Detectives office at (202) 730-1903. – Capt. Melvin Gresham, Lt. Erich Miller and Lt. Roland Hoyle, PSA 208
A message from Police Service Area (PSA) 208:
Sometime during February 13, 2009 and today, February 23, 2009, a residential burglary occurred in the 1700 Block of Q Street NW; it appears the suspect gained entry via a skylight. The incident occurred while the resident was out of town during the above listed dates. We are working diligently to capture this suspect, and we ask for your assistance in securing your residence (please pay close attention to skylights and entrances). In addition, if you observe any suspicious activity in this area, please call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have any past information that you believe might be related to this incident, please call the Second District Detectives office at (202) 730-1903. – Lt. Erich Miller, Lt. Roland Hoyle and Sgt. John McDonald
Borderstanians: Rob Halligan has organized a meeting for area residents to discuss the rooftop burglaries in the Dupont Circle neighborhood with a police representative.
- Who: Concerned and knowledgeable neighbors and MPD.
- What: Rooftop Burglary Meeting.
- Where: 1719 Swann Street NW.
- When: Monday, Feb. 23, from 7 to 8 p.m.
- More Information: Email Rob Halligan or call him at (202) 319- 1313).
The following message is from Police Service Area (PSA) 208:
During the last 45 days PSA 208 has experienced 17 burglaries. Of these burglaries, ONLY THREE (3) have involved the suspect gaining access to a residence through the rooftop and have occurred in the 1700 block of three streets. They are:
Police Service Area (PSA) 208 sent the following message about a burglar who is targeting the 1700-block of S Street NW. The burglar(s) is focusing on skylights on rooftops.
