Arlington Police: Real Estate Agent Accused of Stealing Woman's Clothes

A 60-year-old real estate agent is accused of taking woman’s clothing from an Arlington home.

Stephen Brumme, of Silver Spring, Md., has been charged with burglary and possession of burglarious tools, according to Arlington County police officials. He was released on bail, and his real estate license was immediately suspended. 

The Arlington County Police Department reports that the incident first came to their attention in early February, after Brumme had allegedly entered a home in the 4100 block of North 11th Street.

“It was not his listing, but in his realtor capacity he was showing the home to a prospective client and he showed up 10 minutes before that client arrived,” said Arlington police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

The homeowner had placed a hidden camera in the bedroom, unbeknownst to Brumme, Sternbeck said. The surveillance video showed the real estate agent looking through drawers.

“He was actually going through all the dresser drawers and pulling different garments out,” Sternbeck said. “It was hard to tell what he was looking for. But he did take three woman’s tank top shirts and nightwear.”

The homeowner had looked over the surveillance tapes after noticing some missing items and alerted police last month.

Authorities are now looking for additional victims.

“He’s been in hundreds of home in the DC metro region… We believe it wasn’t the first time that he’s done this act,” Sternbeck said.

If your home has recently been put on the market and you have noticed items to be missing or suspect you have been a victim of burglary, contact the Arlington County Police Department at 703-558-2222, or Detective Timothy Parsons at 703-228-4172. Parsons can also be reached by email at Tparsons@arlingtonva.us.