Unsuck DC Metro: Rash of Car Break Ins at New Carrollton

Monday, August 16, 2010

Rash of Car Break Ins at New Carrollton

At least ten cars were broken into on Friday at the New Carrollton parking lot, in what Metro characterizes as an "unusually high" number. The thefts spanned the entire day and, according to Metro, visible electronics were stolen.
One tipster reported that as many as 25 cars were involved.

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anon · 762 weeks ago

What is the usual number of cars broken into?

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Guest · 762 weeks ago

I'm on the fence about this. While I do wish Metro could do more (though I'm not sure what), I hardly feel any sympathy for anyone who is stupid enough to leave valuables in plain sight for others to steal. Again, I'm not sure what else Metro can do as they already have large signs in place indicating that people should lock up their valuables.

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greenbelt guy · 762 weeks ago

Thanks for the info. I know when my car broke down and I got a tow truck to pick it up at the greenbelt metro the uncover police came out in no time. They asked for my license and registration. They have been pretty vigilant at the greenbelt metro station.

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Godsend Conspirator · 762 weeks ago

Metro is always redifining itself. This sheds a whole new light on the term "peak of the peak"

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GrapesOfRough · 762 weeks ago

Meh, while I'd rather blame Metro on this, New Carrolton is pretty notorious for being shady as hell (I used to park and ride from there daily). If your car gets broken into, you're kind of asking for it if you leave electronics like your GPS or iPod in plain sight.

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Jen · 761 weeks ago

While I am normally inclined to agree that anyone who leaves their car unlocked or with valuables in plain should have been more careful (I certainly think saying they are "asking for it" is an ignorant statement), especially at New Carrollton, I still think Metro needs to step up on this issue. My car was broken into a few months ago at New Carrollton and before anyone says I was asking for it, my car was locked, and had ZERO valuables in plain sight (unless you count a car CD player as a "valuable"). I returned to my car at around 9pm, right after dark had set in to find my windows shattered, pieces taken from under the hood, all of the locks picked, the CD player taken, etc. The whole nine yards. Best part? Metro Transit police officer in a car, not 15 ft from my car. Asleep. I tapped on his window (woke him up) and asked how long he'd been sitting there. He said he'd been in that spot for about 4 hours. Huh. About when I parked the car. He slept through windows being shattered?

2 replies · active 761 weeks ago

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 761 weeks ago

Did you report this to WMATA?

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Jen · 761 weeks ago

I sure did. After waiting two weeks for a response, their reply was simply, "That side of the lot does not have cameras, so we apologize for the officer's behavior and he will be reprimanded, but oops."

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Drew · 761 weeks ago

I have used NC for most of my trips into DC since the OL is convenient to both the Smithsonian and the Warner. Never had a problem, although I never leave anything valuable visible - if they went into my center console, they would get Irish music CDs, LOL. It is distressing to hear of this, but it does make me more aware. I would have thought Deanwood or Minnesota would have higher break-ins.

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Joe · 761 weeks ago

You know, it's not always people leaving things out in plain sight. I always remove my mp3 player from the car, and about 2 years ago I had my car broken into at New Carrollton. They stole my stereo unit (which I couldn't remove from sight) and attempted to steal the car. I guess they gave up when they realized it was a manual.
Where was the Metro Transit Police officer through all this? ASLEEP in his car, not more than 50 yards away the entire time.
It's not us as Metro riders, it's the simple combination of a terrible neighborhood and Metro just not caring.