Lock car doors is the message from the Sheriff's Office following two incidents of vehicle break-ins in the past two weeks.
The latest spree occurred Nov. 4 when 13 vehicles in the Ashburn area were entered with items removed, the majority from 12-2 a.m. and the rest up to 5:30 a.m. Most of the break-ins occurred in the area around Ashburn Road, or Route 641, and involved unlocked vehicles. Windows on three of the vehicles were broken. Car stereos appeared to be the primary target.
Six of the break-ins occurred on Aberdeen Terrace, one on Downing Court, two on Carson Court, two on Shellhorn Road, one on Webster Court and one on Camptown Court.
Two weeks earlier on Oct. 23, several vehicle break-ins were reported on Raspberry Drive just north of Leesburg. It appeared the vehicles had been entered and rummaged through with money and several purses removed.
"A lot of these vehicle larcenies are opportunistic," said Kraig Troxell, public information officer for the Sheriff's Office. "Leaving a car unlocked leaves an opportunity for someone to enter at ease and take anything they want to from the vehicle."
The Sheriff's Office is investigating the two incidents of break-ins to see if they are related. The Sheriff's Office reminds residents to lock car doors and to remove coins, money and valuables, not leaving them unattended or in an area where they are visible, especially during overnight hours.
Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the subjects involved in the incidents. Anyone with information about the subjects' identities is asked to call 703-777-1919.