Crime & Safety
Employees Threatened With Pepper Spray In Columbia: Police
Shoplifters struck Columbia Crossing, armed with pepper spray, police said; that was one of several crimes reported in recent days.
COLUMBIA, MD — Several burglaries have been reported so far in Columbia this December. Crimes reported so far this week include shoplifters using a stun gun at Nordstrom Rack, break-ins at various businesses and more, according to police.
Here are the latest crime reports from Columbia. Information is provided by the Howard County Police Department. Arrests do not indicate convictions.
Tools and equipment were stolen from a vehicle at the Mini U Storage in the 9400 block of Snowden River Parkway. The fence was cut to get into the property sometime between Nov. 30 and Dec. 3.
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A loading dock window was broken at W.B. Mason in the 9400 block of Gerwig Lane. Despite the break-in, nothing was reported stolen in the burglary, which occurred at 1:40 a.m. on Dec. 2.
Three women stole merchandise at the Nordstrom Rack in the 6100 block of Columbia Crossing Circle. Before leaving, they threatened employees with a stun gun. Nobody was injured, and the investigation is ongoing. Police categorized the crime as a robbery, which happened at 8:36 p.m. on Dec. 1.
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A window was broken at DSW in the 9000 block of Snowden River Parkway at 12:21 a.m. on Dec. 1. Shoes were stolen.
A burglar got into a home in the 5800 block of Humblebee Road at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 1. When a resident yelled, the intruder took off. Nothing was reported stolen from the residence.
A wallet and other items were taken from a vehicle in the 6400 block of Red Keel overnight between Dec. 3 and 4.
A vehicle was accessed in the 5100 block of Downwest Ride overnight between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. Nothing was reported stolen.
Shoplifters have used pepper spray before in Columbia.
In November 2014, there were two reports of shoplifters using pepper spray at the Toys R Us on Dobbin Road to make their getaway.
And in January 2016, two teens were arrested after allegedly shoplifting at The Mall in Columbia and pepper-spraying a police officer who chased them.
Image via Google street view.
This has been updated.
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