Police and Crime

Emergencies

For anything you think MIGHT need rapid attention, contact 9-1-1 immediately!  

Our Community Officer (Non-Critical)

Officer "V" (Valasquez) is our community officer, and you can report non-critical things directly contact him at mjvelasquez@co.pg.md.us or (240) 695-7494 to leave a message.

Thefts from Mailboxes

We have had thefts from mailboxes in some parts of West Laurel.  Please report thefts to the Postal Inspector and the police.

It is advised not to put checks or anything valuable in your outgoing mail.  Take it the post office.  If you put outgoing mail in your mailbox, do not put the flag up.  The carrier will still take the  outgoing mail IF you have incoming mailt to be delivered.  Instead of mailing checks, use your bank's online bill paying service or pay online via your accounts.

From the District IV Police:

When fueling your vehicles, keep your keys in your hand, secure valuables on your person or lock your car doors. Below is an excerpt from an incident that occurred off Cherry Hill Road:

The victim stated that she was at the gas pump and began to walk away from her 1998 Silver Honda CRV, when someone told her that the suspect (Unknown) stole items out of her car. The victim ran back to her vehicle to see if anything was taken when she realized that her wallet, which contained 120 dollars cash, 3 credit cards, and her driver’s license was gone off the front passenger seat. The suspect opened the passenger side front door, which was unlocked, grabbed something and then fled into the apartment complex

Around the County, there have been cases where a second car will pull alongside the person who is fueling up.  A passenger in the suspect car hunches down out of sight, and opens passenger side car door undetected.  They’re good at stealing purses and wallets this way.

Warning from PG Police

WJLA Channel 7 News teamed up with our Regional Investigations Division, and our Media Relations Division to do an experiment in a PGPD community to expose citizens’ vulnerabilities to cunning criminals.  

Here’s what they did:

An actor knocked on random residences to find someone home. He was driving a non-descript truck, and wore a safety vest, hard hat, and ID card that was purposefully turned toward his chest so it couldn’t be read. The actor told the homeowner that he was with the ‘Water Department’ and needed to check something inside their home. In 70% of cases, the homeowners admitted this person entrance without asking any questions or verifying any identification. One person told the actor he could go into her home unattended so the homeowner could do some gardening outside.   The actor and news team never entered homes. As soon as permission was granted, they pointed out what was really happening. WJLA is planning to air the experiment in late April.

Please remind everyone to be curious and bold enough to ask questions, and to say ‘no’ with conviction, as appropriate.  It is extremely rare that a utility company would have to enter your home. You can always make the person wait outside while you call the company to verify. And don’t use the company number provided by the person at the door!

In Clinton, they had a few cases where two men approached a house, dressed as workmen.  The victims let the men inside, and while one person distracted the victim, the other ran upstairs to steal jewelry and any other valuables that could be quickly grabbed.  The County also had a couple of banks robbed by a suspect wearing a hard hat and safety vest!

I wanted you all to be aware, and share this information with your friends, family, and neighbors. Thank you, and stay safe!

Captain Susan Smith, #2183

Prince George’s County Police

Assistant Commander, District VI

Office 301-937-0910