Snow Day

The NWC hopes everyone stays safe and warm on this beautiful snow blanketed day.

While you are out shoveling your walkways, driveways, and parking spaces please take the time to notice your neighbors. If you have an elderly neighbor or if you know a neighbor is away, please take the time to shovel for them.

A home not shoveled is a clear sign to criminals that no one is home.

Preventing Crime

While the severity of the crimes differs, the similarities between the home invasion and the two murders in Springfield, VA have one thing in common. The door was open to the criminal(s). In the home invasion, the criminals forced their way into the home after the door was opened to them. In both murder cases, there was no forced entry into the homes detected leaving the police to believe either the door was unlocked or the victims opened the door allowing the killer into the home.
To best protect you and your family, never open your door to a stranger. Use your peephole to see who is at the door before you open it. Ask for identification before allowing a meter reader or repair person into your home. Peepholes are easy to install and replace for the newer models out on the market now that grant more visibility. If you have children, place the peepholes low enough for the children to use.

Talk to your children about safety when you are home and when they are alone. A tip from Officer Nida was for children to call out for a parent even if alone when there is a stranger at the door.
The police recommend keeping your doors locked at all times, when you enter and when you leave your home. Most crimes that occur are due to opportunity – simply locking your door is one way to reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

Home Invasion in Springfield Area

Two men forced their way into the home of a Springfield couple, located in the 6700 block of Metropolitan Center Drive, on Sunday, February 11 around 11:30 a.m. A 24-year-old man heard the doorbell and answered the door to two men. One of the men made a statement and cut the victim on the upper body with a small knife. Both suspects forced their way in and demanded money. The victim and his 20-year-old wife relinquished an undisclosed amount of money and the suspects fled. The injured victim refused medical treatment.

The suspects were described as black. The first suspect was about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a goatee. He wore a green jacket, black boots and blue jeans. The second suspect wore a black jacket with fur around the hood and a black, knit cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.


PIO Release
Crime Prevention Office
Franconia District Station
Fairfax County Police Department