Fairfax County police are investigating the county's second serial burglar. Detectives are exploring a possible link between 20 burglaries that have occurred in McLean and two other police districts since November, police said Tuesday.

"Thieves have forced open doors of unoccupied homes, typically, between the hours of 5-7 p.m. They have stolen small, easily concealed items from the homes," police said in an afternoon press release.  "Cases appear to have started on November 13, 2010 and have occurred in the West Springfield, Mason and McLean Police Districts."

Capt. Steve Thompson, commander of the McLean District and the head of the taskforce that investigated the first serial burglar, said in November, "We now have copy cats --- we have an idea of who does this. It's still high-end houses."

Capt. Thompson who was speaking to a group of citizens, did not elaborate. At least six of the latest burglaries occurred in McLean. Four of them, first reported by Del. Barbara Comstock. Three of those occurred on Christmas Eve.

From late August to November,  a night-time burglar entered unlocked occupied homes in wealthy neighborhoods in the northern part of Fairfax stealing cash and personal items from houses in wealthy communities. More than 100  homes were robbed in Northern Fairfax and surrounding counties.

Brad K. Edmonds, age 34, of the 1100 block of Kennebec Street in Oxon Hill was arrested  Nov. 18 in Montgomery County. He was charged with first-degree burglary, attempted first-degree burglary, two counts of malicious destruction of property under $500, two counts of theft between $1,000 and $10,000, two counts of rogue and vagabond, theft under $1,000, fourth-degree burglary tools, possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held on a $425,000 bond at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

Fairfax County police believe that Edmonds also committed the burglaries in the fall in Fairfax.

"The whole case was solved by a dog (Bandit) that needed to go out"  a Fairfax County police officer said in January telling the McLean Citizens Advisory Committee  the" real story" of how the alleged first Fairfax serial burglar was arrested in November.

"If it weren't for him (Bandit's owner) calling in the suspicious vehicle we would probably still be looking for it,"  Master Police Officer Patrick Lucas of the Fairfax County Police Crime Prevention Unit, told the citizens committee.

Police hope that happens again with second burglar. They are asking residents to be alert to suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to contact police if they see any suspicious vehicles or people in their neighborhood. Police have posted a list of the  burglaries that may be linked.

Please contact: Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Here is the list of the latest burglaries. The ones that are highlighted are located in McLean zip codes, 22101 and 22102. Here is a map showing the location of all addresses:

Sat., November 13                    7700 block Ridgepark Court

Sat., November 13                    7900 block South Run View

Mon., November 22                  2000 block of Hillside Drive

Mon., November 22                 1900 block of Kirby Road

Mon., November 22                 1300 block of Kirby Road

Tues., November 23                 10100 block of Community Lane

Thurs., December 23                 7900 block of Crownpointe Ridge Court

Thurs., December 23                12000 block of Fox Meadow Lane

Fri., December 24                    1000 block of Eaton Drive

Fri., December 24                    7100 block of Country Meadow Court

Fri., December 24                    900 block of Georgetown Ridge Court

Thurs., December 30                 700 block of Waterside Drive

Thurs., December 30                 6400 block of Lake Meadow Drive

Thurs., December 30                 10100 block of Waterside Drive

Thurs., December 30                 6400 block of Lake Meadow Drive

Sat., January 29                         3500 block of Aston Street

Sat., January 29                         7800 Creekside View Lane

Sat., January 29                         7800 Creekside View Lane

Sat., January 29                         9700 Thorn Bush Drive

Sat., January 29                          9700 Thorn Bush Drive