TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Police Department is warning residents of a rise in daytime residential burglaries.

Police tell NottinghamMD.com that the first few months of 2025 have experienced an unusual increase in daytime residential burglaries involving Romanian Travelling Theft Groups across Baltimore County and neighboring counties. In Baltimore County alone, over 25 cases have been reported in the first three months of the year. These incidents are occurring in both the western and eastern precincts.

Gypsy burglary groups typically operate in small, separate teams, but they generally follow the same M.O. These groups often consist of 2-3 women dressed in traditional attire, such as patterned dresses and headscarves. They primarily target single-family homes in older, middle-class neighborhoods, where residents tend to be older and video surveillance is minimal.

To gain entry, the women use small tools like screwdrivers and pry bars to force open rear or side doors. Their primary focus is stealing high-value jewelry. These groups often arrive in a suspect vehicle driven by a male accomplice, who drops the women off in the neighborhood and provides loose surveillance while they walk around, searching for a target. If confronted by a resident, the women typically fabricate a story, often claiming they are interested in buying something from the property.

Once the burglary is completed, the male suspect picks up the women from a nearby location. While minivans (e.g., Honda Odysseys, Toyota Siennas) with out-of-state plates are commonly used, other vehicles, such as older Ford Escapes, have also been reported in recent cases across different jurisdictions.

Anyone who observes suspicious behavior as described above should dial 9-1-1.

Photo via the Baltimore County Police Department on X

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