Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) detectives have arrested a 29-year-old Riverdale man in connection with a series of residential burglaries across Montgomery County and are asking potential victims to help identify recovered jewelry.
According to police, Anderson Javier Santacruz Gallegos is accused of targeting homes by knocking on the front door and, if no one answered, going to the rear of the residence and forcing his way inside. Police said jewelry and coins were primarily taken.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant connecting Santacruz Gallegos to burglaries on Holdridge Road on July 29, Xaveria Drive on August 25, and two homes on Gadsden Avenue and Cliftonbrook Lane on September 21.
On September 23, MCPD officers said they observed Santacruz Gallegos knock on the front door of a home on Enid Drive in Potomac. After receiving no response, police said he went to the rear and forced his way inside. Officers arrested him when he returned to a 2024 black Toyota Camry.
A 92-year-old resident was sleeping inside the Potomac home during the alleged burglary but was not injured. Police later searched Santacruz Gallegos’ Riverdale residence and recovered suspected stolen property, including jewelry. Detectives said they have also identified additional victims in Montgomery County’s 1st District and Howard County and have returned some stolen property.
Santacruz Gallegos was charged with additional residential burglary offenses and is being held without bond. MCPD is asking anyone who recognizes the recovered jewelry or believes they may have been the victim of a similar burglary to contact the 4th District Investigative Section at 240-773-5530.
