Howard County Police Investigate Potential Crime Triangle

Police are investigating whether three crimes at retailers in Columbia and Ellicott City are related.

The incidents occurred within the course of half an hour on Tuesday, July 7, according to police.

The first one involved two people trying to steal “a large amount of soap” from Giant supermarket in the 9200 block of Baltimore National Pike. The attempt was reported at 10:33 a.m. The suspects left and nothing was taken, police reported.

Minutes later, in the 4300 block of Montgomery Road, police were called for a second report of two people trying to take a large quantity of soap. Nothing was taken, and the suspects left. That incident was reported at 10:36 a.m.

At 10:57 a.m., police responded to the Nordstrom Rack in the 6100 block of Columbia Crossing, where two people reportedly ”stole a large quantity of jeans and fled.”

The Howard County Police Department said Wednesday that officials were investigating whether the incidents were connected.