Neighbor Thwarts Attempted Water Heater Theft

Police caught three people who stole a water heater out of a District Heights, Md., home thanks to an alert neighbor who saw them in the act.

On Wednesday, Jennifer Bowser, who is retired from the U.S. Marshals Service, watched a man enter a foreclosed home in the 6100 block of Belwood Street. Then a car backed up to the house with the trunk open, and a water heater was placed in the trunk.

“People drive around,” Bowser said. “They see notices stuck on houses where the houses are unoccupied and they just take advantage of the situation and they expect the neighbors not to report it. They expect the neighbors to look the other way. But those days are over with on this street.”

Bowser called 911.

“If they’re stripping this house, who’s next?” Bowser said.

Officers responded quickly and arrested two men and a woman. A 4-year-old girl was with them. She has been placed in the custody of relatives.

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