This Week's Crime Notes: Two Crimes of Opportunity

Every so often we post crime reports from the MPD's Second District. Usually, we pick out crimes that are unusual in some way or have suspect lookouts or alerts to the public. In the case of the two crimes below, the victims presented such an opportunity to thieves that we have to wonder, "Who doesn't know not to leave a purse hanging on the back of a chair in a restaurant, or a car running unattended on a public street?"

Case #1:

The victim reported that while inside an establishment, she left her purse on the back of her chair during which time an unknown suspect(s) stole it and made good their escape. Surveillance video is being examined which shows two suspects involved in this theft.

The suspects are described as:
#1-Black/Male, 30-40 years of age, 5'9"-6'0", 170-180 lbs. with short black hair, a medium complexion and a thin build. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue pants.
#2-Black/Male, 30-40 years of age, 6'0"-6'2", 200-220 lbs. with a dark complexion and a stocky build. He also was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue pants.

Case #2:

Between Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 12:01 a.m. and 12:20 a.m. a Theft/One Stolen Auto offense occurred in the 3200 block of N St., N.W. (PSA 206) and was subsequently reported to the MPD.

The victim reported that he left his vehicle running, unlocked and unattended in front of a location. When he returned, his vehicle had been stolen by an unknown suspect(s).