18 Burglaries Reported Across Howard County, Many Affected Small Businesses

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Burglars hit 12 businesses in Ellicott City and Columbia Saturday morning between 3 and 5 a.m. Most were small business owners. An additional six burglaries were reported as of early Tuesday morning.

Police believe three suspects who were caught on surveillance video at Philly's Best in Columbia belong to the same group that hit each business. The video shows the trio smashing the glass and making off with cash and more.

"So, in about an hour and a half span early Sept. 9, we had a dozen commercial burglaries that had the same (pattern)," Howard County police spokesman Seth Hoffman told WBAL.

Police said the crimes are connected and that same group of suspects could be seen on video wearing the same sweatpants and ski goggles, breaking into windows and doors looking for cash.

Sunny Sharma, who owns Vennari's Pizza, said that between repairs and lost revenue, the weekend burglary dealt a blow to his small business. An early Tuesday burglary at Kings Contrivance Liquor and Smoke Shop in Columbia left behind broken bottles, glass everywhere and debris all over the floor, said employee Jessica Gonzales said.

The thieves broke in before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and took the cash register and safe before leaving.

"I was a little scared because I leave here at night sometimes by myself when I'm closing," Gonzales said.