Updated 3/6/2018
Baltimore County Police Dept
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/PoliceNews/iWatch/
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Deception Burglaries
Deception Burglary is a type of crime that involves individuals who attempt to enter homes through deception or diversion. This is a scenario that we see played out more and more frequently. Seniors are sometimes targeted, but all citizens need to be aware of this crime and how it is perpetrated.
Here are some examples of how this type of crime is executed:
The suspect knocks on your door or approaches you while you are outside working on your yard, washing your automobile, etc. He or she claims to need your help or offers to do construction or maintenance type work outside your home. This offer requires you to accompany the suspect to look at your roof, fence, check property lines, etc. While the first suspect is diverting your attention outside, a second suspect enters your home and steals money, jewelry, and other valuables before you return. It may be days before you realize you have been victimized.
Another scenario involves the suspect(s) inquiring about the purchase of an item that you have displayed outside for sale, (e.g., car, boat, camper trailer, etc.). The first suspect will distract the homeowner while a second suspect enters the home and steals your valuables. The suspect sometimes agrees to purchase the item to get you more interested (or in this scenario more distracted) and agrees to return with the money. For obvious reasons they never return.
A similar scenario can also take place inside your home. The suspect will come to your door claiming to be a representative of a utility, cable, telephone company, etc. They will ask you to let them in to test the service. While you are assisting the first suspect who you believe to be a legitimate representative, the second suspect enters the home and steals your valuables.
In all three of these scenarios the suspect diverting your attention will usually stay in contact with the second suspect by cell phone or two-way radio. This way the suspects can alert each other of potential problems that would jeopardize the success of the crime.
Report any suspicious individuals or activity by immediately calling 911. If you can take note of license tag numbers, vehicle descriptions, or suspect descriptions without putting yourself at risk, it can be helpful to responding officers.
If you have been victimized by this type of scam or have any questions or concerns about this document contact the Baltimore County Police Department’s Community Resources Team, Detective Carl Lindhorst @ 410-887-5901.
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Motor Vehicle Theft and Safety Prevention
Motor vehicles are the primary mode of transportation for most of us, and often, an indispensable part of our lives. But what would happen if yours suddenly disappeared? Check out the Department of Transportation NHTSA's brochure, Vehicle Theft Prevention - What Consumers Should Know to learn how to protect your vehicle.
The purpose of this alert is to provide some suggestions that can reduce your chance of becoming a victim of this type of crime.There are many ways to keep you and your vehicle safe. These are just a few suggestions:
· Never leave your keys in your vehicle. If a thief steals your vehicle with the keys inside, they may have the keys to your home, as well as another vehicle.
·Never leave valuables or any packages visible in your vehicle.
·Park in busy, well lit areas of the parking lot.
·Copy your license plate and vehicle information (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with you.If your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information to take a report.
·If you have a garage, use it. When parked in a garage, lock the garage as well as your vehicle, and take your keys inside.
·Never leave your vehicle running while parked inside of a garage to warm up.This could be dangerous due to the carbon monoxide that builds as the car idles in an enclosed space.
·Never leave your vehicle running unattended. Vehicles are commonly stolen at ATMs, convenience stores, and gas stations etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner leaves the vehicle running to warm it up.
·Traffic Article 21-1101(A) states that it is unlawful to leave an unattended vehicle w/o stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and setting the brake.Fine is $70 and a 1 point violation.
As always, call 9-1-1 if you see anyone attempting to break into a vehicle. Do not intervene, contact 9-1-1 immediately. Provide as much information about the suspect as possible to help the police. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Baltimore County Police Department Community Resources Team @ 410-887-5901.
Possible Security System Scam
It has recently come to my attention that there may be a couple of gentleman going door to door in the Woodlawn Estates Community ( Community close to the Precinct) either saying they were from Monitronics Security or letting the customer believe they were from this company. These subjects seemed to know a lot about her current system and told her that she needs to upgrade. The complainant remembered that Monitronics had sent out an alert to current customers saying that there was a scam with people going door to door telling customers that the company sold out to another company. At this time she told these subjects that she was sick and could not decide right now. The complainant felt like this was a scam.
She described the gentleman as being young light skinned black males wearing nice looking casual clothing. They did not have any identification or badge on them identifying them as working for any security company. She advised that they were very polite and spoke intelligently.
I verified with Monitronics and Monitronics has confirmed that they DO NOT go door to door and have not been out in the area.
Please be mindful of door to door sales people and feel free to call 911 to have an officer come out to verify who these people are if they are seen in your area. You do not have to open the door for them either. If something feels suspicious CALL 911.
I have attached a couple of flyer's about Deception Burglaries and Transient Crime. Please share with friends, family and neighbors.
Officer Alisha Helphenstine #3872
Baltimore County Police
Woodlawn Precinct
Community Outreach Team
Randallstown SubStation
9428 Liberty Rd
Randallstown, MD 21133
410-887-4714
ahelphenstine@baltimorecountymd.gov
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Drug Drop Boxes
Baltimore County has a wonderful new program that will allow individuals to drop off expired, unwanted, and even illegal drugs, 24 hours/7 days a week.
The drop boxes are located outside in front of each of the ten (10) Baltimore County Police precincts. No questions asked! This is a safer alternative to flushing them down the toilet or putting them into the landfill.
We encourage everyone to get rid of all unused medications as one part of our efforts to reduce overdoses in Baltimore County by 20% in the next 2 years. Emptying your medicine cabinets and encouraging others to do the same makes for a healthier and safer Baltimore County!
For more information, click on the link below.
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/health/healthservices/substanceabuse/drugdropbox.html
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Sex Offender Compliance and Enforcement in Maryland
By calling Maryland's toll-free Sex Offender Alert Line at 1-866-559-8017, you can sign up for telephone notification any time a registered sex offender moves in the area. The Alert Line is designed to contact individual homes, schools, daycare centers, recreational centers and churches registered by zip code when a sex offender moves into the neighborhood or if there is a change in the offender's compliance status. Visit the website at www.socem.info .
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Vacant Homes & Apartments
IT IS ILLEGAL TO ENTER A VACANT HOUSE OR AN APARTMENT FOR ANY REASON IF IT'S NOT YOUR LEGAL RESIDENCE.
Md. CRIMINAL LAW Code Ann. § 6-205 (2012)
(e) Penalty. -- A person who violates this section is guilty of burglary in the fourth degree and on conviction is subject to imprisonment up to 3 years or burglary in the third degree and on conviction is subject to imprisonment up to 10 years.
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Emergency Notification System (ENS)
Some of you may have received a telephone alert from Baltimore County's Emergency Notification System (ENS) about a missing Kings Park Estates resident. I did not receive the alert, but was contacted last night by residents about it. I contacted the ENS staff and was informed of the information listed below (including website link) to register for these alerts. I strongly encourage you to register for these alerts by clicking on the website link below!
I talked to the missing resident's wife today. He was found this morning unharmed and is home!!
The Baltimore County's Emergency Notification System (ENS) is a notification tool designed to enhance emergency preparedness and notify citizens and businesses in Baltimore County of emergency situations that may require time sensitive actions.
Who Should Register:
- If you want e-mail alerts, you should register.
- If you use a provider other than Verizon, you should register.
- If you only use non-traditional Verizon phone service, you should register.
- If you live outside of the Baltimore-Metro broadcast area and need to be informed of emergency notifications, you should register.
Emergency Notification System http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/emergency_prep/ens.html
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