Fleeing Employee Foils Holdup: Columbia Crime

The Howard County Police Department provided the following information about recent incidents in Columbia.

Circle K gas station was almost robbed at gunpoint at 5 a.m. on Dec. 4. A man walked into the store in the 8200 block of Snowden River Parkway, threatened an employee with a handgun and demanded money. When the employee fled the store in one direction, the would-be robber took off in another direction without taking anything. Nobody was injured. The suspect was described as a thin black man who was 5'10" tall. He was wearing dark clothing.

Property was stolen from Goldfish Swim School in the 9300 block of Snowden River Parkway. The burglary occurred sometime between 12:45 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 2. It was not clear how the burglar(s) got into the business, as there were no signs of a break-in.

A door and safety latch were damaged as someone tried to break into a residence in the 8300 block of Tamar Drive overnight between Dec. 2 and 3. Nothing was stolen, as the burglary attempt was unsuccessful.

Three vehicles were stolen in the past few days:

• A 2012 silver Chevrolet Impala was stolen from the 6300 block of Red Haven Road, reported at 2:18 p.m. on Dec. 2.
• A 2011 gray Chevrolet Aveo was stolen at 9:01 a.m. on Dec. 4 from the 6000 block of Foreland Garth. The vehicle was recovered, and a 22-year-old Columbia man from the 8800 block of Flowerstock Row was charged.
• A 2017 black Camry was recovered after being reported stolen from the 8800 block of Tamebird Court at 9:57 p.m. on Dec. 2.

In two cases, the cars were left alone running with the keys inside.

"HCPD reminds residents to refrain from doing this," police said in a statement. "Never leave house or car keys inside your vehicle."