(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) The Board of Directors at a luxury Bethesda condo claims a man climbed up the outside of the building and entered an unlocked unit last weekend.
According to an alert sent to all residents at The Chase at Bethesda (7500 Woodmont Avenue), the incident took place in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 13.
The man, apparently drunk, got into a unit on the fifth floor of the building by climbing up the balconies “until he found a balcony that was unlocked.”
Montgomery County Police were notified of the incident and the Board told residents that it is working closely with the department. There were no signs of forced entry into the unit.
Capt. David Falcinelli, commander of the Montgomery County’s 2nd Police District, said police were told the suspect was known to the security officer at the building. It was treated as a trespassing with a written report but no arrest.
“It is not an ongoing issue where the public needs to worry,” Falcinelli said.
The full text of the alert is after the jump:
TO: Residents
FROM: Board of Directors
DATE: December 19, 2014
SUBJECT: Security Awareness
There was an incident that took place on the early morning hours on Saturday, December 13th. The incident involved an unknown male who appeared intoxicated gaining access to a resident’s unit on the 5th floor. The individual climbed up the balconies until he found a balcony that was unlocked. The Montgomery County Police has been informed; there were no signs of forced entry in the unit.
We are asking residents to make sure their unit doors are securely locked at all times; this includes the balcony doors as well.
We ask that all of our residents be vigilant about their surroundings, whether it be the front doors or the garage doors. We ask residents to use their fobs wherever possible and to cooperate with the Concierge if he or she does not recognize you and buzz you in.
If you have someone that unlawfully gains entry into your unit, please contact the Montgomery County Police Department immediately, rather than waiting to communicate through the Concierge.
Please be assured that we working closely with the Montgomery County Police Department regarding this matter.