Bethesda Police Commander Reports Crime Drops In 2012

Bethesda District Police Commander Capt. David Falcinelli today said the area saw double-digit reductions in property crimes in 2012 compared to 2011.

Falcinelli reported a 40 percent drop in residential burglaries (357 in 2011 to 214 in 2012), 17 percent drop in commercial burglaries (103 to 85), 23 percent drop in thefts from autos (1175 to 901) and a 40 percent drop in stolen autos (172 to 102).

“These decreases are especially significant as property crimes are the majority of the crimes that occur here,” Falcinelli wrote. “Just yesterday, residential burglary arrests were made in the Bethesda District because of an alert homeowner that called police after suspecting that a knock at the door was a ruse to see if someone was at home. In this case, the suspects knocked at the front door and then made up a name when the homeowner answered, pretending to be at the wrong house. These suspects ultimately did commit a burglary nearby and were quickly arrested with property still in their possession.”

Crimes against persons increased in 2012, with 57 combined street and commercial robberies compared to 42 in 2011.

Falcinelli, whose 2nd District will now include Potomac and Randolph Hills in North Bethesda, again urged residents to report suspicious persons and vehicles immediately.

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