Alexandria (web | news) , Va. - Alexandria City police have charged two men who allegedly posed as potential house buyers to steal jewelry and other valuables at open houses.

Investigators say John Palmer Jr., 51, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and Samuel Goldstein, 22, of Dundalk, Maryland, posed as father and son at 10 or more open houses across the region, including Fairfax and Montgomery counties and the Baltimore area.

Alexandria resident Deborah Brophy noticed something was amiss one day after her open house.

"I felt so violated they had gone through my belongings," Brophy said. "One of the pieces was incredibly sentimental -- my grandmother's wedding ring. I searched high and low and really just had a sick feeling."

Brophy contacted her realtor, Weichert's Mary Hurlbut, who recalled the suspects posed as father and son. Hurlbut says Palmer lured her to one part of the house while Goldstein went for the valuables.

"I was very angry that it happened on my watch," she said, "but I was pretty certain with my pretty good description that if they did it again we'd find them."

Weichert employees quickly contacted police.

"We said from the beginning that the only way to break this case is with the help of realtors," said Alexandria police Sgt. Shahram Fard.

Weichert, with the help of the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, spread word of the scheme to thousands of realtors throughout the region.

Police say just a couple weeks later a Weichert realtor in McLean identified the suspects at an open house. Police tracked Palmer and Goldstein to an open house Sunday outside Baltimore, where they were picked up. They are awaiting extradition to Alexandria. 

"The cooperation between my realtor and the police department -- I'm thrilled," Brophy said, adding "if I can't get my stuff back I just want these guys caught."

Alexandria City police obtained warrants against both, charging them with three counts each of grand larceny, grand larceny with intent to sell and conspiracy to commit larceny.

Detectives say they suspect Goldstein and Palmer may be have targeted more open houses and ask anyone who had an open house recently to check to see if they could have been a victim.

Anyone with information in Alexandria is asked to contact Detective Dan Plank of the Criminal Investigations Section at 703.838.4797.

 Email To Friend