Two Incidents to Report in Westover Hills
Two incidents that were reported to the Westover Hills Crime Watch Captain, Elizabeth Roderick.
4918 New Kent Road
I wanted to tell you about a frightening incident this morning. Between 10:05 and 10:15 this morning Monday June 27, 2011, I went out and opened my house side garage door, I left the key in the door and left the door 1/2 open (I was taking a cake out to the refrigerator and can not carry the cake and open the door at the same time so I was making 2 trips) Door was open NO longer than 20 minutes. When I stepped up to the first step the door opened from inside and a dark skinned black male, mid 20′s, med to slim build, 6″+, with about a 2-2 1/2 inch afro that was taller on top than on sides.
He tucked his face down as he pushed me to get past, and went around my forsythia into the alley. I was stunned, but ran into the house got my phone, called 911. While on the phone I ran down alley following toward King William. He got into a late model white pick-up truck, it had a rack which held an extension ladder, which he had parked in to the eastern front of redacted house. He then drove around to come up west on New Kent, from the alley along side of my house I saw him drive to the light and proceed right, toward the bridge. I could not get a plate number, but the pick-up did not have an emblem on the tailgate, it had a black handle latch. He
seemed to be alone.
This is not his first rodeo! He was fast, he was cunning enough to hide his facial features. I assume he is surveying the area, for which he may have partners. His truck was clean and newish, and did appear to be a decent work vehicle, that would not look completely suspicious in the area. This decent & equipped truck – man looking for work – mistaken address for work site in neighborhood seems to be a consistent methodology according to the authorities.
Please lock you homes, sheds, garages. Secure any belongings that you store outside in plain sight. LIGHT UP YOUR PROPERTY AT NIGHT. Be alert to, and even suspicious of, people and vehicles that do not belong to your neighbors. Although I would imagine for the next few days there will be no activity – as the police responded to this incident – I suspect there will be activity in the coming weeks or months.
Police said: not to be afraid to address people who you do not know, if they are parking near your or neighbors homes. Make eye contact, or presence known, if someone in cruising the alley or street. Let neighbors know when you will be out of town overnight, so we can keep a closer eye out for odd or suspicious activity. Do not put enticing trash out until last minute. These thieves look for things they can scrap as well as to identify when you make big ticket purchases. They also look for patterns, come and go from different directions, if you have a very standard work/appointment schedule. We need to be diligent for the long haul!
1600 Westover Hills Blvd.
Here are the details: On Saturday, June 25 around 9:15 A.M. my doorbell rang–no problem. I simply ignored it. Then it rang incessantly. The person literally SAT on my door bell for about three minutes. I went to my peep hole and noticed there was a young white blond woman in a black and white print dress. I didn’t know her. I didn’t answer when she kept ringing my doorbell. No one was chasing her and she didn’t seem to be in trouble. When I didn’t answer, she went down Sylvan. All of my friends, family and people that I expect, come to my back door. Otherwise, I consider them strangers. Later that evening around 9:45 P.M. my doorbell rang in the same manner as it did that morning. I went to the peep hole and notice she was back , but was wear capris and a nice top. I ignored it–and after 10 minutes she ran down Westover Hills toward Forest Hill Avenue. I call the non-emergency police number to report it. I was told that I did the right thing. If it happened again, I should call them back. This is very bizarre.
Today, Sunday, June 26 in the morning, no visits. I will wait to see what will happen this evening…..
This morning, I found a flyer on my car advising of a couple of incidents on Bassett – it had the RPD patch on it. Never seen that before.
On Friday night/Saturday morning, June 25, 2 houses on 4800 block of Bassett were broken into.
House #1: No cars/people present, the intruders kicked the back door down and ransacked and burglarized. TV stolen, drawers and closets rummaged through and liquor bottles stolen. They left high dollar items – apparently not the smartest thieves. They also left all the lights on in the house while they were doing it.
House#2: No cars/people present, lights on outside, very well lit. 2:13am – Someone(s) kicked the side door in – alarm sounded – no apparent entry. And the police responded and secured the door.
House on corner of Bassett and Westover Hills: June 9, 7pm-9pm – house robbed at gun point. 3 suspects in that case – police don’t seem to want to elaborate on this – I think it is solvable.
I believe these people are on foot and coming from apartment complexes on Westover Hills. I am glad to see the RPD is sending out flyers – I requested that. Haven’t seen any before, but would like to see police and community interaction in the neighborhood. Is there an existing neighborhood watch? I hope neighbors can band together and look out for each other to help prevent another one of these incidents and help the police catch these criminals.