Crime & Safety
Officer Pepper-Sprayed Outside Columbia Mall: Police
Two teens were charged after assault on officer outside The Mall in Columbia this week, Howard County police say.
COLUMBIA, MD – Two teens are charged after a chase that ended with a Howard County officer being pepper-sprayed in the Columbia mall parking lot, according to police.
The officer was at The Mall in Columbia in the 10300 block of Little Patuxent Parkway when he observed a group of four people who, upon seeing him, ran from the mall with bags of merchandise, police reported.
As the officer caught up to the group in the parking lot, a 17-year-old girl allegedly pepper-sprayed him, according to the report.
Find out what's happening in Columbiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Despite the diversion, the officer was able to arrest two of the suspects at approximately 6:38 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
The girl with the pepper spray, who lives on Greenmount Avenue in Baltimore, was charged with assaulting an officer and theft, police reported.
Find out what's happening in Columbiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Police said an 18-year-old from Bolton Street in Baltimore was also charged with theft, while the investigation continues into the other two suspects.
The officer did not suffer any serious injuries, police said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
