Homeowner Stabs Burglar In Bel Air: Sheriff

BEL AIR, MD — A Bel Air homeowner stabbed an intruder late Wednesday night, injuring the man and sending him to the hospital, according to authorities. The attempted burglar is facing charges, while the homeowner is not expected to be charged in the stabbing, the Harford County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday morning.

Mark Brandenberg, 38, of Bel Air, was found trying to get into a home in the 1200 block of Athens Court when deputies arrived at 11:51 p.m. in response to a call about an attempted burglary, officials said. Brandenberg was bleeding from his upper body when officers arrived. Authorities said he was taken to the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, then transferred to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was in stable condition Thursday morning.

According to investigators, Brandenberg had been staying at a residence nearby the home where the break-in occurred. Officials said he had demanded money from the 26-year-old homeowner, who refused, prompting Brandenberg to try to follow him into his home.

As the resident tried to protect himself inside, Brandenberg broke the front door glass and tried to climb in, according to the sheriff's office.

The homeowner warned the burglar multiple times that he had a kitchen knife, but Brandenberg proceeded to try to make his way into the home, at which point the resident "slashed him with the knife," officials reported. Neighbors also came to the resident's aid to keep the burglar from getting inside.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler commended the neighbors for helping their community member.

"Even during this time, when our state is faced with a global pandemic, residents of Harford County didn’t hesitate to come to the aid of their neighbor," Gahler said in a statement. "With all the bad, we have also seen so much good come from this global tragedy. This is just another example of neighbor helping neighbor. Additionally, I want Harford County to know that our deputies have and will continue to work tirelessly every day to keep them safe in the face of this pandemic."

Officials said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information may call Detective Tammy Burns of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 410-836-5043.

INITIAL REPORT — A man was stabbed and injured in Bel Air, the Harford County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Patch Thursday morning, regarding an incident on Athens Court.

"The subject was stabbed while he was committing a crime," Kyle Andersen, spokesman for the Harford County Sheriff's Office, said.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, according to Andersen, who said more information would be released Thursday morning.