Mount Pleasant DC Forum

[Richard McGregor]

Looking at the auto break-in statistics, I see that many of them are clustered around 1600-1800 Kilbourne/Irving/Kenyon area. This is not surprising, since I continually witness two men go from 3147 17th Street, break into cars, and then go back. I have seen this happen three times in the past two weeks, and several times before that. It usually happens around 1:30-3:00 am. These men are also, when not committing property crimes, extremely loud late into the evening on a regular basis.

Calls to DCPD don't seem to work because cars never arrive in time and it is difficult to catch someone in the act. It seems, however, that something should be done. These guys are a two-man crime wave. Must we allow this to continue?

[Will Grant]

Richard,

Can you give an accurate description of these men? Height, weight, etc? The more complete a description you can give, including time you saw them, time you called, who you spoke with, etc., the better. We currently have only ONE police officer working the post-midnight shift, and then only 5 days a week. We're going to get very, very vocal about getting more, but aside from that, please do not stop calling when you see these gentlemen and giving the police as full a description as possible.

Will

[Richard McGregor]

Well, just last night I watched the same two men break into a dark-colored Honda near the corner of 17th and Kilbourne at about 12:30 AM. (They were walking up and down the street with a flashlight looking into cars for valuables right before they opened this one.) My roommate called DCPD, but if a car ever came they were already back home. He didn't get a name from the 911 operator.

Two black males, probably about 185-200 lbs. I would guess 6' to 6'-3", but it was hard to tell from a distance. One was wearing a pullover jacket with a hood up that looked to be olive green, carrying a canvas bag of some sort. The other had dark a coat and seperate jacket.

These guys are pros. It took them about 20 seconds to get into the car, and 2 minutes to have it and the trunk cleared out and the stuff back to 3147.

[Concerned neighbor]

Can you explain what you mean about only having 1 officer working the post-midnight shift 5 days a week? Unless I am missing something, that sounds like an absolutely scandalous risk of public safety!!!!!!!!

[Jeff]

The description of the criminal activity described by Mr. McGregor seems like probable cause to me. Let?s have the police day shift go to a judge get a search warrant and pay a visit to our felonious friends at 3147 17th Street. If they are as active as reported, I am sure there are some stolen goodies strewn around their house!

Jeff

[tom]

If the cops aren't interested, i'm sure Fox5 News wouldn't mind getting some crime in action on tape.

[Richard McGregor]

I have considered videoing the activity, but 1) I don't want to be seen for fear of reprisal, and 2) I don't know how well it would show up at night. But it might be worth a try -- it really has gotten ridiculous lately.

[Will Grant]

Oh, you've not heard the half of it. We will have no regular coverage in the early evening tomorrow (Wednesday, 1/8/03) because of the lack of officers and the convergence of time off for two of our active officers. I don't know if that's to be a regular thing, but I was told by one of our Seargents that the post-midnight shift only had one person assigned to it, and that, as is normal, he only works five days with two days off (his "weekend" if you will).

We need people to do several things for this. 1. Complain, complain, complain, but to the city and to the police. 2. Call in things when you see them. The more pressure and the more items called in, the better. 3. Show up at the ANC and Police Service Area (PSA) 410 meetings. The ANC is the first monday of each month at 7:30 at La Casa. The PSA meeting is the second Tuesday at 7 at the Mt. Pleasant Library. This next week's PSA meeting is very important as Councilmember Graham and Captain Bigelow are both to be in attendance. Please, please, please come out and let them know that you want more coverage!

[Aaron]

Dinner guests of our's had their car stolen on January 3rd. It was shocking and very disappointing to us. Location was the corner of 19th Street and Monroe.

[Mike Lehker]

Aaron,

Dinner guests of ours had their car broken into on Christmas Eve on 17th St. at Irving. We felt the same way. Especially since one of the victims was once a long time MtP resident with no prior problems. (BTW, when the police finally responded they told us that "a tall thin black man with a small caliber handgun" was on a mugging spree on the same night)

At the PSA 410 meeting last night, the Lieutenant had a very pretty handout supposedly showing all of the crime events in our neighborhood. Guess what, neither our friends' theft nor any of the muggings were listed.

Mike

[Mike Lehker]

Richard:

Last September, I witnessed 2 black men set a car alarm off and walk away. I thought it might have been just a prank and went to bed. The alarm finally died out. The next morning the car was ransacked. These guys tried that same trick on my car but reset the alarm and went outside to confront them, they just kept walking down Irving St. One guy was tall 6' with dreads or thick braids about mid-neck length. The other was shorter. Does this description seem familiar?

Also do these guys at this house have a dog?

Mike

[Richard McGregor]

I think they have a pit bull or two -- at least someone often brings one over to that house. The description sounds about right -- one taller, one shorter -- although I'm not sure about the dreads/braids. The last few nights have been quiet -- maybe too cold? I'll keep an eye out and try to get a better description, possibly a video of them in action.

[Sgt. Daniel Wagner]

Richard, we are trying some enforcement action regarding your complaint. Please call me at the 4D Detective Office 202-576-6726.

I need a few details before I can get the United States Attorney to approve our action plan.

Thank you,

Dan Wagner

[Laura Krantz]

My two roommates and I have all had our cars broken into several times (5 or 6)and everything of value has been stolen repeatedly. Despite removing the faceplates from our car stereos, our car stereos have all been stolen - I even had some guy steal the twenty some odd pennies in the cup-holder of my car. We've all made an effort to park in well-lit areas, as parking on side streets, like 18th, between Irving and Kenyon, only makes it worse. At this point, I don't keep ANYTHING in the car, but it's still broken into every now and then. Any advice on how to keep these jerks away?

[Richard McGregor]

Sgt. Wagner:

I assume, given the recent arrests, that you no longer need my assistance? I am happy to help, but given that I live in the area and have to see these guys on the street, am leery of publicizing my involvement unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks.