Columbia Crime: Home Invasion, Footpath Assault

COLUMBIA, MD — A home invasion, assault and three burglaries were reported in Columbia over the weekend, from March 15 to March 17. The Howard County Police Department provided the following information about the crimes.

Three or four men with their faces covered who were armed with guns forced their way into a residence in the 9600 block of Quarry Bridge Court. They assaulted the residents and stole cash. The home invasion happened at 10:56 p.m. on Sunday, March 17. The man and woman inside the residence were not seriously injured. Officials are looking into the possibility that this was a drug-related crime.

While walking on a path in the 9600 block of Whiteacre Road, two men were assaulted by a group of teenagers. One of the teens had a handgun. There were no serious injuries, and nothing was stolen in the assault, which happened at 8:10 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

A construction site in the 9100 block of Old Annapolis Road was burglarized. Various items were taken sometime between Friday, March 15, and Sunday, March 17.

A residence was burglarized in the 7500 block of Murray Hill Road on Sunday, March 17. Laptops, jewelry, clothing and shoes were stolen after the suspect(s) got in through the front door.

The door was forced open at a residence in the 5200 block of Lightfoot Path. However, the attempt was not successful. The burglary attempt occurred overnight between Friday, March 15, and Saturday, March 16.

A 15-year-old Columbia boy and a 15-year-old Ellicott City boy were charged in connection with a motor vehicle theft on March 9. The Columbia boy was also charged in a Feb. 1 motor vehicle theft. The thefts happened in the 7000 block of Deepage Drive.