Teen Steals Bicycles From Residential Garage Left Open: Howard County Police

COLUMBIA, MD — A teenager has been arrested in connection to the theft of bicycles taken from a garage that had its overhead garage door up, police say.

The incident happened July 20 around 6:08 p.m. in the 6700 block of Sewells Orchard Drive. Howard County Police received a report from a resident that two teens stole the bicycles. Police found one suspect with one of the stolen bicycles and the other bicycle was found later, the department stated.

A 16-year-old from Columbia has been charged with burglary and theft, the police department reported.

According to the Howard County Police, while it's tempting to leave the garage door open when the weather is nice, it's actually easy for thieves to steal equipment, bicycles and other property in minutes.

"They also can access the inside of your home if the door leading from the garage to the interior of your house isn’t locked," the police department stated.

Howard County Police recommends residents follow these five tips:

1. Always keep all doors, including your garage door and rear slider, closed and locked.
2. Ensure that the door leading from your garage to the interior of your home also is locked.
3. Keep valuables in an unexpected place, in case a thief makes it inside. For example, don’t keep your most valuable jewelry in your jewelry box. Burglars want to get in and out quick, so don’t make it easy for them to find your valuable or sentimental items.
4. Always lock your vehicles and remove valuable property. Even if your garage door is closed, a garage door opener in an unlocked car is like a key to your home.
5. Always report suspicious activity in your neighborhood by calling 911 or non-emergency 410-313-2200.