A rash of burglaries and attempted burglaries in the vicinity of Avenel has prompted police to warn Potomac residents.
In one case, the burglars, one male and one female, appear to have answered the phone after setting off the security alarm, telling the monitoring company that the alarm had gone off in error.
In the incidents where entry was gained, burglars pried open or kicked open the front or side doors the homes. Jewelry and cash were the main items of interest and bedrooms were ransacked. Cameras, televisions and DVDs were also stolen.
During the attempted burglary at a residence in the 8500 block of Rapley Preserve Circle, the monitoring alarm company advised police that they spoke with a male and a female resident who said that the alarm going off was a false alarm. It was later determined that those individuals were not the homeowners.
Seven burglaries — four residential burglaries and three attempted burglaries — have been made in the vicinity of Avenel in Potomac since Sept. 26, according to Lucille Baur, of Montgomery County Police.
Montgomery County Police officers in the First District advise community members of the importance of using a variety of home-security measures to help prevent becoming a victim of a residential burglary.
The burglaries occurred in the 8700 block of Crider Brook Way, the 6800 block of Capri Place, the 9800 block of Avenel Farm Drive and the 9300 block of Kendale Road. The attempted burglaries took place in the 8500 block of Rapley Preserve Circle, the 9200 block of Potomac School Drive and the 9100 block of Vendome Drive, according to police reports.
FIVE OF the burglaries took place during daytime hours while the other two occurred during evening hours.
The first district crime analyst charted the incidents for the police.