Montgomery County detectives believe a string of four late-night burglaries in Silver Spring last month may be related, urging residents to lock their doors and windows.

The burglaries took place from June 14 to July 2, police said. All of the burglaries took place between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. and only one involved an actual break-in, said Montgomery County police spokeswoman Officer Janelle Smith, explaining that the similarities in the crimes indicated a pattern to detectives.

“The detectives were just looking at the time frame and the proximity of the houses that were burglarized, and the fact that they all involved unlocked residences except for one,” she said. “That presents a prime opportunity for people to enter the home; they can basically just walk right in.”

Targeted streets include the 600 block of Bennington Lane, the 9000 block of Fairview Road, the 1700 block of Noyes Lane and the 700 block of McNeill Road, Smith said, but dates of the individual burglaries remained undisclosed Tuesday. The burglaries took place within a one-mile radius of residential areas around downtown Silver Spring.

All of the houses were occupied at the time of the burglaries, but so far no victims have reported encountering the burglar or burglars, Smith said.

In all but one of the burglaries, entry to the house was made through an open door or window, said Capt. Paul Starks, a Montgomery County police spokesman.

“We can’t let the message get old: Lock your doors and windows,” Starks urge residents. “This is a criminal trend that can be prevented.”

Anyone with information about the burglaries is asked to contact the police at 301-279-8000. Anonymous tips can be provided by typing “MCPD” plus the tip on a cell phone or PDA and texting it to 274637 (CRIMES).

jarias@gazette.net