New Cases Might Link to Prowler

Sightings, Burglaries Reported in Leesburg

By Kafia A. Hosh

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Leesburg authorities said they are investigating whether two recent cases involving a prowler in the town are linked to a string of similar incidents that occurred earlier this year.

A prowler was reported on Barnfield Square NE on Nov. 5 and on Marshall Drive NE on Nov. 12, according to Leesburg police. In both cases, the man did not try to enter homes but was "on the property and got the homeowner's attention," said Lt. Wes Thompson, a police spokesman.

Thompson said there is no hard evidence linking the two cases to the dozen or so earlier incidents involving a prowler in the Leesburg and Ashburn areas. But he said the new cases bear a "striking resemblance" to the previous ones and occurred in some of the same parts of Leesburg.

Monday's announcement by Leesburg police came a week after Loudoun County sheriff's officials said they were not aware of new prowler cases in Loudoun.

In mid-September, the sheriff's office arrested a man described as a "person of interest" in the prowler incidents that had occurred from January to mid-August. The man has not been charged in those incidents, but he is being held on charges in an unrelated case.

Sheriff's spokesman Kraig Troxell said the man in custody remains a possible suspect in the earlier prowler cases, despite the recent incidents in Leesburg. But he urged residents to remain vigilant.

"Until we catch the person or prove that this person [in custody] did it, we can't for sure say these cases are closed," Troxell said.

Troxell said sheriff's officials are working with town police to determine whether this month's prowler incidents fit the earlier pattern.

Leesburg officials also are investigating whether two recent burglaries are related to the other cases. On Nov. 10, an attempted burglary was reported on Washington Street NE. And on Sunday, a burglary was reported on Salem Court SE, where a person wearing a dark jacket entered a home through an unlocked door.

Leesburg police advised residents to lock their doors and windows and to report suspicious activity immediately. They asked that residents also lock their vehicles, to prevent an intruder from getting a garage-door opener.

Town residents should call 911 or police at 703-771-4500 to report suspicious activity.

Tagged: crime, Leesburg, Loudoun Sheriff's Office, police

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