Residential Copper Gutter and Downspout Thefts Investigated

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2012	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Residential Copper Gutter
and Downspout Thefts Investigated

Bethesda, Potomac, and Rockville Hardest Hit

Detectives from the 1st and 2nd District Investigative Sections continue to investigate over two dozen incidents of theft of copper gutters and copper downspouts from area residences.

Since November 1, 2011 to January 24, there have been 26 incidents in Bethesda, Potomac, and Rockville. Many of the thefts are clustered in an area that is inside the beltway, along River Road, and south to the Potomac River to the Maryland/DC line. The thefts are occurring at all times of day and night. The gutters and downspouts are easily accessible and copper has a high resale value at commercial recycle and scrap metal centers.

In several of the thefts, a later model, beige, bronze or gold pick-up truck has been seen, in the area or actually in the victim’s driveway. On a few occasions the suspects have been confronted. They claimed to be conducting work for a gutter company and then left without further confrontation.

Anyone with information about these or similar thefts, or the suspect(s) involved, is asked to call the 1st District Investigative Section at 240-773-6084 or the 2nd District Investigative Section at 301-657-0112. Anyone who witnesses similar suspicious activity is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000.