Asians Targeted in Burglary Spree: Howard County Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Police Department has issued a warning in particular to Asian residents after a rash of burglaries was reported in the region.

Burglars have been forcing their way inside the homes of Korean and Indian residents, police said, even if doors and windows were locked. The burglaries have happened countywide, according to Howard County Police Department spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn.

Nine burglaries have been reported in Howard County, where burglars were after valuables like jewelry or cash.

The crimes were similar to a series of burglaries that happened in Howard County between 2012 and 2014, according to police. Those cases were linked to a Texas-based crime ring of Colombian nationals with fake identities that struck homes in Maryland and Virginia.

The Colombian nationals were given lists of addresses of high-end residences, including in Montgomery County, where they sought guns, documents, jewelry and gold heirlooms, WJLA reported.

"We are investigating to see if we have a similar type of crime ring in these recent cases," Llewellyn told Patch on Thursday.

Officials issued these tips to help people avoid becoming victims:

• Do not keep large amounts of cash or valuables such as jewelry inside the home.
• Use alarms or surveillance cameras to deter criminals.
• Call 911 if there is suspicious activity.

File photo.