2 Charged In Columbia Home Invasions: Police

COLUMBIA, MD — Two men were charged in a pair of recent home invasions in Columbia. The crimes happened about one month apart, in March and April, police said. Investigators do not think that the suspects knew their victims and are still working to determine a motive.

The home invasions occurred on April 16 and March 17.

In the most recent one, two men with their faces covered entered a home in the 8600 block of Cobblefield Drive and showed they had guns. Police allege the men assaulted the resident and stole sneakers, electronics and cash from his home on Tuesday, April 16.

The first home invasion happened in the 9600 block of Quarry Bridge Court on Sunday, March 17. In that case, there were three victims. Police said that multiple men with their faces covered got into the home through the basement, then showed they had guns and assaulted the victims. They took cash and two guns, officials reported.

Nobody was seriously injured in either case, according to police.

Shortly after this week's crime, investigators identified these two suspects and arrested them:

• Timothy Branch, 24, of Kippis Road in Millersville
• Terrance Pearson, 37, of Bayberry Street in Elkridge

Upon executing search warrants on the suspects' vehicles and homes, officials said they found items, including guns, that had been stolen in the home invasions.

Each was charged with two counts of home invasion, armed robbery, burglary and firearm violations.

Branch and Pearson are being held without bail at the Howard County Detention Center.

Investigators are still looking to identify anyone else who may have been involved in the St. Patrick's Day home invasion.

Contact Howard County Police at 410-313-STOP or HCPDCrimeTips@howardcountymd.gov.