Columbia Crime Spree Leads To Charges Against 3 Boys: Police

COLUMBIA, MD — Police said three youths have been charged in a series of crimes committed in Columbia in mid June. The crimes occurred at high-visibility locations including the mall, library and an apartment building.

Authorities said the youths were between 11 and 15 years old. Because they were charged as juveniles, their identities will not be released, but police gave the following information about them:

• 15-year-old boy from Baltimore
• 14-year-old boy from Columbia
• 11-year-old boy from Columbia

Several charges were filed against the boys in relation to the crimes, which ranged from stealing a golf cart at The Mall in Columbia to attacking a woman outside the central branch of the Howard County library.

Robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, assault, reckless endangerment and theft charges have been filed against the juveniles.

Police said one or more of the boys was involved in these crimes:

• Burglary at Alta Wilde Lake: The glass door was broken at Alta Wilde Lake in the 5400 block of Lynx Lane on Tuesday, June 19. Police said the youths tried to get into the lobby of the apartment building.
• Theft at The Mall in Columbia: An iPhone was stolen from the Verizon store at The Mall in Columbia at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway on Tuesday, June 19.
• Assault at Central Branch: A library employee was assaulted in an attempted robbery outside the Central Branch of the Howard County Public Library in the 10300 block of Little Patuxent Parkway on Saturday, June 16. The youths tried to steal her purse, police said.
• Motor vehicle theft at The Mall in Columbia: A golf cart was stolen from the parking lot of The Mall in Columbia at 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway on Saturday, June 16.

RELATED: Woman Attacked Leaving Columbia Library

Patch file photo.