Crime & Safety

Police Catch Burglars in Act

Watchful neighbor helps police catch suspected burglars red-handed.

The Hyattsville City Police Department is again crediting an alert neighbor with helping to catch two burglars red-handed over the weekend. 

"The West Hyattsville Neighborhood Watch strikes again," reads an email from Hyattsville police detective Cpl. Zach Nemser sent to city employees and shared with the West Hyattsville neighborhood listserv. 

The incident began on Saturday, Feb. 16, just before 1:30 p.m., when police responded to the 5600 block of 30th Avenue for a report of a burglary in progress. 

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The burglary had been reported by a neighbor who watched two men enter a nearby residence through a side window. 

Once on the scene, police surrounded the house. Shortly afterward, one of the suspects, Gaithersburg resident Mark Anthony Rodriguez, exited the house through a side door and was placed under arrest. The second suspect, Hyattsville resident Sergio Andrew Saravia,  tried to exit the house through a side window. Seeing the police, Saravia slipped back inside just as officers were about to grab him. 

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At that point, three officers entered the house and were able to arrest Saravia. 

Stolen property found in the possession of the two suspects was returned to the property owners, who arrived home later on. 

Rodriguez gave a statement to police, but Saravia did not. First degree burglary and theft charges have been filed against both suspects. 


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