RFCOP Crime Update Week of Aug 1st - Aug 7th

Police Offer Back-To-School Safety Tips

Wait For School Buses

Hard to believe but it's true, the beginning of school is upon us. The Baltimore County Police Department is reminding all drivers to stop when the lights on school buses are flashing.

Maryland law states that vehicles must come to a complete stop on both sides of the street if there is no physical divider or barrier. Drivers who pass the bus before all lights have ceased flashing may face the following consequences:

• Drivers who pass school buses while the lights are flashing will receive a citation that carries a maximum payable fine of $570 and a 3-point penalty.
• Drivers who stop but then proceed while the lights are flashing will receive a citation that carries a maximum payable fine of $570 and a 2-point penalty.

Children are not always aware of their surroundings and assume that drivers will stop for them. Youngsters also dart into the road without looking first for traffic. Allow room for the frequent stops that happen during the morning pick up and the afternoon drop off.

Maryland's future is in its children so let's protect them.

Load Up The Kids - And Lock Up The House

Here's an important back-to-school reminder: before you walk or load the kids up for the drive to the bus stop or school, lock your doors. Those few minutes that you are away from home can be the perfect morning stop for a burglar. It may seem overly cautious to lock windows and doors when leaving for such a short time period, but the time spent doing this can deter a burglar and prevent some major problems later.

The Baltimore County Police Department suggests that everyone establish the habit of basic security when leaving the house in the morning. Parents or daycare providers could make the procedure a learning experience for the children. Many people have a morning checklist to make things simpler during that early morning rush hour. Why not add a security checklist to your morning routine? Depending on the age or ages of the children, let them help you get out of the house by giving them a task that relates to their security.

Older children should check and lock the windows, while the younger ones can see if the doors are locked behind you when you leave.

When you are on the way to and from school, keep watch on what is going on in your neighborhood. Look for strangers who seem to be lurking on the sidewalk, with no real purpose. Watch for cars driving slowly through the neighborhood. They might be sizing up potential targets. If you are concerned, dial 911 as soon as you return home, or on your cell phone if you have one. Try to provide a basic description of the individual or car that worries you. It will help police if they have this information.

Do not think that burglars work only at night, in the dark. They are opportunists, and will look for likely targets at any time of the day. In fact, many burglars strike during daylight hours when they believe all the occupants of a house may be at school or work. Make their life harder by taking these basic crime prevention measures.

Educate Your Children About School Safety

Baltimore County Police are reminding parents/guardians and children about back-to-school safety. Officers are routinely trained in child safety and missing children investigations. With the start of the new school year, they are sharing this information with parents.

Although the Police Department educates children in school on stranger danger, learning about community helpers, and several other child safety topics, parents can also help. The following tips are just a few suggestions:

• Be aware of putting your child's name on anything that is readily visible. This might allow an abductor to get on a "first name" basis with your child and develop a sense of trust.
• Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out safe places to go if they are being followed or need help.
• Talk to your children about strangers approaching them and some of the ploys they might use. Stress to them that adults shouldn't need a child's help to find a puppy or get directions; they should ask another adult for that information.
• Teach your children that it is okay to say NO - tell them to trust their instincts.
• Remind your children to never give the impression they are home alone if strangers telephone or come to the door. Never open the door for a stranger, and teach them about dialing 911.

Revised August 4, 2011

Baltimore County Police Advise Public to Beware of Phone Scams

Suspects are Soliciting Money for Alleged Unpaid Property Tax Bills

Baltimore County, Md. (August 4, 2011) - The Baltimore County Police Department is warning citizens, especially senior citizens, about a phone scam involving delinquent taxes.

This week, a county resident contacted Baltimore County’s Office of Budget and Finance to report a phone call from an unknown person claiming that the resident’s annual property taxes are unpaid and delinquent. Just last spring, a number of people, contacted the county with the same scenario. All said the caller demanded additional funds be mailed to them immediately, or the caller would dispatch a sheriff to the home to collect the money. In at least one case, the caller asked a senior citizen for banking information (account and routing numbers).

Take Precautions

• Never give out personal or banking information over the phone.
• Attempt to verify the identity of unknown callers, and if possible obtain a callback number. Remember, the phone number could be linked to a fraudulent location.
• Never mail currency or checks to an unknown business or person(s).
• Alert a close family member/friend and call police if the call appears suspicious.
• Call the Baltimore County Taxpayer Services Section at 410-887-2404 for questions about property taxes.

Significant Events Report for the week of August 01-07, 2011

Section One: Major Crimes - Robberies

(All Commercial, Street Robberies resulting in injuries,

All Robberies related to trends)

Date Time CC Number Offense Location (Business & Victim Name) Synopsis Suspect Information

08/03/11 1409 11-215-0919 Robbery Unit block Morrislea Ct. 21234

The suspects approached the victim in the alley. The suspects forcibly removed property from the victim. The suspects fled on foot. M/B, 12-15, medium build, and shaved head. M/B, 12-15, medium build, fade hair cut.

08/04/11 2158 11-216-1773 Armed Robbery 1500 block E. Joppa Rd. 21234

The suspect entered the location and displayed a small older model black handgun. The suspect pointed the gun at the victims and demanded money. The suspect obtained cash and fled. M/W, 25-30, black cloth mask, black short hair, dirty khaki pants.

08/06/11 0113 11-218-0133 Armed Robbery 6000 block Falls Rd. 21209

The suspect entered the location and displayed a handgun in his left hand. The suspect demanded money. The suspect took money, then demanded a wallet from another victim. The suspect fled when the victim advised having no money. M/B, 18-25, 5-9 to 6-1, thin build, black long sleeve shirt, and a black ski mask.

08/06/11 0210 11-218-0213 Street Robbery Unit block Burke Ave. 21204

The suspects attacked the victim and took property. 2-M/W’s, 5-7

Section Two: Major Crimes – Burglaries

All Commercial, Schools, Residential related to trends,

Burglaries with high dollar value stolen / weapons stolen

Date Time CC Number Offense Location (Business & Victim Name) Synopsis Suspect Information

07/27/11-07/31/11 2230-2330 11-213-1355 1st Degree Burglary 1800 block Leadburn Rd. 21204

The suspect came through the unlocked back door and stole property. Some property was located at a pawn shop. Charges are pending for the suspect that pawned the property. 1 Male Suspect identified.

08/01/11 2200-2350 11-213-1884 1st Degree Burglary 600 block Bridgeman Terrace 21204

Unknown suspect kicked open the front door and removed property. Unknown

07/26/11-08/03/11 1000-2000 11-215-1621 1st Degree Burglary 1100 block Register Ave. 21212

An unknown suspect forced open the basement door. Once inside, the suspect forced open a safe and removed property. Unknown

08/05/11 1305 11-217-0965 1st Degree Burglary 6600 block Loch Raven Blvd. 21239

The suspect opened the unlocked door of the victim’s apartment. The suspect stole property from the apartment. The suspect fled to her apartment where she was arrested.1 Adult Female Arrested.

08/05/11 1610-2315 11-217-2169 1st degree Burglary Unit block Kenlawn Ct. 21204

The suspect removed a screen from the front window and slid open the unlocked window. The suspect removed property from the location. Unknown

08/01/11-08/02/11 2100-0750 11-214-0252 2nd Degree Burglary 7600 block Bellona Ave. 21204

An unknown suspect cut the cables providing power to the phone and alarm. The suspect pried open a side door to gain entry and removed property. Unknown

baltimoresun.com - Crime Incident Notification

Week of Aug. 1-7, 2011

Incident # Date Time Description Location

112190262 8/7 5:29 am Check on Location Hopkins/Heathfield

112181687 8/6 11:40 pm Check on Location 1xx blk Regester

112191525 8/7 11:29 pm Check on Location York below Stevenson

112191524 8/7 11:28 pm Check on Location York/Hatherleigh

112191527 8/7 11:31 pm Check on Location Old Trail near Stevenson

112150165 8/3 2:13 am Check on Location Stevenson above Bellona

112171784 8/5 7:52 pm Suspicious Subject Regester/York

112151010 8/3 3:20 pm Suspicious Subject York/Windwood

112131367 8/1 5:50 pm Auto Acc-Prop Dam Regester/York

112191028 8/7 5:14 pm Auto Acc-Prop Dam Bellona/Murdock

112190807 8/7 2:57 pm Check on Subject York/Stevenson

112180484 8/6 8:27 am Check on Subject York/Overbrook

112160285 8/4 8:01 am Destr Of Property Glen Argyle/Dumbarton

112131189 8/1 4:25 pm Hit&Run-Prop Dam Hopkins/Heathfield

112180996 8/6 3:04 pm Hit&Run-Prop Dam Dunkirk/Pinehurst

112151080 8/3 3:55 pm Open Door/Window 2xx blk Dunkirk

Email Alerts - Spot Crime.com

2.00 Miles around 222 Dumbarton Road – Week of Aug. 1-7, 2011

Crime Date Time Address Case #

Dest of Prop-Vandalism 8/4 8:01 am 1xx Dumbarton 112160285

Dest of Prop-Vandalism 8/1 7:49 am 1xx Dumbarton 112130321

Dest of Prop-Vandalism 8/3 10:21 am 64xx York Road 112150548