Neighbors across Southeast D.C. are on edge after a string of late-night intrusions that left several homes without front-door cameras and one household dealing with an unlawful entry. Police say a man is wanted in connection with multiple unlawful entries, the theft and deliberate destruction of doorbell cameras, and an attempted theft during the night of April 13–14, 2026. Detectives say the suspect was caught on at least one surveillance camera and are urging anyone with video or tips to speak up.
Police say one suspect is tied to four incidents
Investigators believe the same man is behind four separate incidents that took place between late Monday, April 13, and the early hours of Tuesday, April 14, according to WJLA. The reported incidents include an unlawful entry in the 300 block of 2nd Street SE, the theft of a doorbell camera in the 1500 block of K Street SE, the destruction of another camera on K Street, and an attempted break-in in the 900 block of 15th Street SE where the suspect ran off after waking residents.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect during at least one of the crimes, and detectives are hoping additional doorbell video from the neighborhood will help put a name to the face.
Anyone who recognizes the man or has video that could help the case is urged to contact police right away. The Metropolitan Police Department asks people to call (202) 727-9099 or text tips to 50411, and notes that anonymous submissions may be eligible for a reward.
Why wrecked doorbell cams set investigators back
When a suspect steals or smashes a doorbell camera, they are also taking out the very evidence neighbors and detectives rely on to trace movements and link cases. That missing footage can slow investigations or, in some cases, shut them down entirely.
The District’s Private Security Camera Rebate Program, run by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants, encourages residents to register exterior camera systems with MPD so video can be quickly requested and used in criminal investigations. The program sets minimum storage and registration standards so that, when something happens, there is a better chance that clear, usable footage exists.
For detectives, those registered systems and properly stored clips often provide the key leads needed to identify suspects, confirm timelines, and connect what might otherwise look like isolated incidents.
How neighbors can lock down footage and spook would-be thieves
Homeowners are urged to back up video to the cloud or an external drive, turn on two-factor authentication for device accounts, and keep firmware up to date to cut down on tampering and hacking risks. Physical safeguards such as security screws, anti-theft mounts, or secondary cameras placed out of reach make it tougher for someone to rip equipment off the wall, while overlapping camera angles improve the odds of getting a clear shot of a suspect, according to a recent home security guide from SafeHome.
Residents who use the city’s rebate or voucher programs are also encouraged to keep their registrations current so police can move quickly when requesting footage after a crime.
MPD detectives are continuing their investigation and are asking neighbors in Southeast D.C. to review doorbell recordings from the night of April 13 through the morning of April 14 for any suspicious activity. Anyone with relevant video or information should preserve the original file, note the exact timestamp, and contact the department through the tip line.
