Police Need Help Identifying Spray-Paint Suspect

After hundreds of vehicles were vandalized with spray-paint, mostly in Columbia, the Howard County Police Department is offering a $1,500 reward for information.

Police have released images of the suspect taken from surveillance video at approximately 2 a.m. Monday.

Police said four vehicles and two buildings were spray-painted in the 9100 block of Guilford Road between Sunday night and Monday morning.

During the same time period, 28 vehicles were spray-painted outside a senior living complex in the 9800 block of Palace Hall Drive in Laurel, and investigators believe the same person is responsible.

The damage included the words “Jack Boys” and other ”random markings” in white spray paint, police said.

Since December, more than 260 vehicles have been vandalized with spray-paint in crimes that investigators are looking into as possibly connected, police reported Wednesday.

• Vehicles Spray-Painted Outside Laurel Senior Living Complex
• 58-Vehicles in Columbia Spray-Painted Overnight
• 91 Vehicles Vandalized in Columbia

“These cases are having a widespread impact in the community,” Police Chief Gary Gardner said. “We are asking for the public’s help to put a stop to this.”

Police say the suspect’s gender and race are not known, and investigators do not think the crimes are hate-bias or gang-related.

Anyone with information may call the HCPD tip line at 410-313-STOP.

Callers may remain anonymous. There is a reward of up to $1,500 for information.

Here is where police say the incidents have occurred:

• Dec. 15 in the 7500 block of Monarch Mills Way
• Dec. 20 in the 9600 block of Whiteacre Road/5800 block of Thunder Hill Road
• Dec. 21 in the 5800 block of Stevens Forest Road
• Dec. 27 in the 5800 block of Stevens Forest Road
• Dec. 30 in the 5500 block of Waterloo Road
• Dec. 30 in the 8300 block of Tamar Doad
• Jan. 14 in the 7500 block of Murray Hill Road
• Feb. 1 in the 6900 block of Deep Cup
• Feb. 4 in the 5700 block of Stevens Forest Road
• March 31 in the 9900 block of Guilford Road
• June 7-8 in the 9100 block of Guilford Road
• June 7-8 in the 9800 block of Palace Hall Drive