Oct 28, 2009 7:17 pm US/Eastern
Howard Co. Police Investigate Multiple Burglaries
COLUMBIA, Md. (WJZ) ―
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There has been a string of burglaries in Howard County, and police say the burglars are very brazen.
CBS
There has been a string of burglaries in Howard County, and police say the burglars are very brazen.
Suzanne Collins reports in two dozen cases, glass has been broken by the burglars or doors smashed.
Howard County Police think the burglaries are linked. They're taking place at individual homes when no one is at home all in the last month.
Police say neighbors may hear more than rustling leaves.
"These burglaries are not discreet. They're loud, they're brazen, they're smashing glass, they're kicking in doors, and we clearly know they must have vans or trucks because they're taking out large electronics," said Sherry Llewellyn, Howard County Police spokesperson.
There have been 27 similar break-ins in Columbia, Ellicott City and Elkridge since Sept. 27. Many happened in residential neighborhoods along Rt. 100 and beside Rt. 32.
They're taking large televisions, computers and game systems, but also money and jewelry.
On one Columbia street, a house was hit Saturday night, but the suspects also strike during the day.
"I'm pretty amazed. It's a real nice neighborhood. It's really scary," said one homeowner.
Police say all the burglaries have occurred when no one was home, so they're speculating someone might be coming up to the door and knocking to see if anyone is there. If that happens at your house or you see it in the neighborhood, they want you to call.
"So what we're really asking people to do is look for suspicious people in the neighborhood, suspicious activity, vehicles that look like they don't belong or have ever been there," said Llewellyn.
"That could be really suspicious carrying around something big and loading stuff in a van. Usually they're just like cable companies, but if it didn't have a cable on it, just some random van, it'd be a little sketchy," said Achal Amin, student.
Police recommend you make it look like you are home when you are not. Leaving an extra car in the driveway, leaving the lights or television on and always collecting the mail and newspapers are good tips to follow.
Howard County Police say there is a $500 reward for the tip that leads to an arrest.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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