WASHINGTON – A recent rash of burglaries in the Prince William County area has local police warning residents to protect their homes when they leave.
A man and woman have been arrested and charged with four burglaries in the county. The pair was picked up and charged with burglary last month.
The burglaries in the Haymarket area happened during the day and at night, police say. One homeowner didn’t even know he had been a victim of one until police found his safe.
Jonathan Perok, spokesman for Prince William County police, says residents who are leaving town should notify a local district station.
“Let them know that you’re going to be gone and see if they can [swing by] when they have time,” Perok says. “Lock the doors, lock the windows.”
Perok also says not to underestimate the power of alarms and outside lighting. Blinds should also be pulled.
“That way, someone can’t walk by and take a peek inside your residence to come back later,” he says.
Monitored alarm systems are good deterrents, but so are simple door chimes.
“Just something that makes noises,” he says. “Burglaries have happened where a noise inside the house scares someone off.”
Residents should also refrain from announcing via social media when they’re going on vacation.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report. Follow Kristi and WTOP on Twitter.
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