Crime & Safety

Police: Armed Men Posing as Officers Invade, Rob Home

Investigators believe matter is an isolated incident.

Arlington County police are investigating a reported home invasion Thursday night in which two men claimed to be police officers to gain entry.

Two men, in plain clothes, knocked on a door in the 300 block of South Fillmore Street at about 11:20 p.m. Thursday. They identified themselves as police and held up a piece of paper, claiming it was a search warrant. It wasn't.

A woman opened the door a short way and the men pushed their way inside, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said. They demanded money and jewelry.

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One man held the woman and two children at knifepoint on the living room couch, while the other man, armed with a gun, searched the home, according to police. They took nearly $13,000 in cash and jewelry.

"There's no reason to believe that this is an ongoing occurrence," Sternbeck said. "Residents should still feel safe at this time. Detectives do believe that this was an isolated incident."

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The first suspect was described as a black man, about 6 feet, 2 inches tall, with a medium build and was wearing a black ski mask, sunglasses, a black North Face winter coat and black gloves, according to police. The second suspect is described as a black man, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with a heavy build and was wearing eyeglasses, black coat and black pants.

The woman did not see the ski mask until it was too late, Sternbeck said.

Residents should be sure their porch or front-door lights work, and look through a window or peephole before opening their door to a stranger, especially at night, Sternbeck said.


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