local digest

-- Matt Zapotosky

Motel housekeeper is raped in room

A 24-year-old housekeeper at a Motel 6 in Gaithersburg was raped Thursday by a masked man who slipped into a room she was cleaning, Montgomery County police said. After the attack, the victim was able to look out the room and see the suspect fleeing in a green four-door vehicle, police said.

Officers were called to the motel at 497 Quince Orchard Rd. shortly after noon. The victim told them that she was inside the room, with her cleaning cart just outside the opened door, when she heard the door slam. The man who attacked her was not armed, according to police.

She described him as black, about 6 feet and more than 200 pounds, with short hair and wearing a mask, a green sweater, black pants and a gold necklace.

Police urge anyone with information about the assault or the suspect to call 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

-- Dan Morse

Fairfax police chief to discuss burglaries

Fairfax Police Chief David M. Rohrer will discuss a recent string of daytime home burglaries that netted large amounts of gold jewelry during a public meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at Colin Powell Elementary School, 13340 Leland Rd. in Centreville.

Police have reported four similar burglaries from Tuesday,bringing the number they think are linked to 20. Many victims are Indian or South Asian families.

County police have described a team of suspects in the cases as two Hispanic or Middle Eastern men in their late 20s to early 30s and one Hispanic woman. The burglars have entered homes in Fair Oaks, Reston, West Springfield and Centreville, beginning early this year but more frequently since the summer.