2 Teens Charged In Rash Of Vehicle Thefts, 2 Young Adults Face Charges: Howard Co. Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Two teens and two young adults face charges after Howard County Police say they're responsible for stealing 16 vehicles between February and July in Laurel, Elkridge, Hanover and in neighboring jurisdictions.

• Alexander Bennett, 19, of Laurel, has been charged with 15 counts of motor vehicle theft and 30 total counts of felony theft.
• An 18-year-old male from Elkridge, who was 17 years old at the time of the incidents, has been charged in 11 vehicle thefts. He also has been charged with weapon violations for a handgun recovered during the investigation and in five theft-from-vehicle cases.
• A 17-year-old male from Laurel has been charged in 16 vehicle thefts and in two theft-from-vehicle cases.
• A 17-year-old male from Columbia has been charged in two vehicle thefts.

Detectives say that the suspects worked together to steal vehicles for personal use, to sell them or to use them to commit other thefts. Many of the stolen vehicles were recovered in the Laurel area, according to the police department.

The Howard County Police Department offers the following tips for residents to protect themselves from vehicle theft:

• Do not leave keys or key fobs inside your vehicle or leave your vehicle running unattended. We have seen “jump-in” vehicle thefts in which a thief steals a vehicle left running at a gas station or in a driveway. But a majority of other vehicle thefts occur because keys or key fobs are left in a vehicle.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight, or in your car at all – even for a brief time. We have seen thieves steal from vehicles at gas stations while the victim is inside the business. Wallets, purses, and electronics such as laptops and tablets are the most common valuables stolen. Thieves will use a stolen credit card as soon as they can, often to purchase gift cards.
• Park in a well-lit area or inside your garage if you have one and close your garage doors. Thieves have entered open garages and stolen vehicles and items out of vehicles.
• Additional security measures, such as vehicle tracking system/ GPS, vehicle security systems, and a steering wheel/column lock also can be effective deterrents.

• Get your VIN etched. Have HCPD engrave your car's VIN on all major pieces of glass. This is a free event offered by HCPD. Check the calendar for dates/times.
• Register for "Watch Your Car." This free, voluntary vehicle registration program, administered by the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, is designed to deter auto theft and assist in the apprehension of thieves.
• Report a lost fob. If you lose a key fob, immediately contact the dealership to get a reprogrammed one, otherwise the lost fob will still allow a thief access to your vehicle.
• Use Transaction Safe Place. Need a safe place to handle a transaction you arranged online, such as the sale of a car or motorcycle? Designated parking spaces, marked with yellow signs, are available at both HCPD district stations and the community outreach building. These areas are video recorded 24/7/365.