Teen Caught Breaking Into Vehicles In Vienna: Police

VIENNA, VA—A number of car break-ins happened within the last week in Vienna, but police caught one suspect in the act.

Around 2:30 a.m. on May 17, a resident reported someone going through parked cars in the 200 block of Cedar Lane SE. Police found a teen in the area and found a stolen wallet, credit cards, a bottle of change and cologne on him.

The 16-year-old teen was transported to the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center and charged with three counts of credit card theft, two counts of vehicle Tampering, petit larceny and drunk in public.

There were several other car break-ins reported days later. On May 18, a resident parked her car on the grassy area of Southside Park. She left her purse on the passenger seat and locked the vehicle but returned to find the car window smashed and purse stolen. The purse contained money, credit cards and other items. The unknown suspect broke in between 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Other car break-ins included:

Grand Larceny 19-005344
100 Block Elmar Drive, SE
Between May 22 at 9:00 p.m. and May 23 at 8:30 a.m.
A resident reported that an unknown person entered her unlocked vehicle and stole her wallet, containing her credit cards, passport, and various identification cards.

Grand Larceny 19-005343
200 Block Moore Avenue, SE
Between May 22 at 10:00 p.m. and May 23 at 7:30 a.m.
A resident reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole his wallet containing credit cards and US currency, an iPad, and a pair of earbuds. The resident was alerted that his credit cards were being used for unauthorized charges.

In light of the break-ins, Vienna Police have issued these tips for residents:

Lock your car doors

The majority of the vehicles being entered and/or stolen have been unlocked.

Remove all valuables

In most cases, the subjects responsible for these acts have been targeting vehicles which
contain valuables such as, but not limited to, laptop computers, GPS’s, pocketbooks/purses, loose change, cameras, etc. If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, please be sure to conceal the items, in the trunk, under the seats or use any other means to make them undetectable. Also, make sure to record all serial numbers, and if possible, engrave them or permanently mark the items with easily identifiable markings, in the event the items are recovered.

Remove all keys

The subjects who commit these crimes are aware that most new vehicles come with valet keys. Most of these keys are kept inside the vehicles, either in the center consoles, or the glove compartments or other areas easily accessible. In some instances the owners have left their keys rings containing their house keys, providing access to their homes.

Report suspicious activity

In some cases, the subjects have been observed wearing several layers of clothing, not consistent with the weather conditions. This is used to conceal stolen items and also to make identification difficult as they will shed layers of clothing as they flee the area when they suspect they have been observed committing a crime.

To report information on any incident, call the Vienna Police Department at 703-255-6366.