Police & Fire

Police Capture Masked Man as He Leaves Burglarized House

Columbia man arrested in string of burglaries.

By Brandie Jefferson
Email the author
November 29, 2012

22 Comments

‹ Back to Article

new

Embed | Share

Police say Robert Stone, 43, of Columbia, is responsible for several Howard County robberies. Howard County Police

Photos (1)

Photos

Police say Robert Stone, 43, of Columbia, is responsible for several Howard County robberies.

Credit Howard County Police

Upload Photos and Videos

A masked man captured as he allegedly attempted to make a getaway from a burlgarized home now faces burglary, auto theft and other charges in multiple home break-in cases.

According to Howard County police, on Nov. 22, officers were investigating a stolen vehicle on the 11000 block of Ridermark Row, in Columbia, when they say Robert W. Stone, 43, of Columbia, was walking near a house wearing a mask, dark clothes and gloves.

Police say when they approached Stone, he ran to the vehicle they had been investigating. He tried to drive away, police said, but officers were able to detain him.

The back door of the house Stone was walking by had been smashed with a rock and the home had been burglarized, police determined. Stone was arrested at the scene.

Police subsequently searched Stone’s residence and said they found evidence that linked him to other burglaries, including a July 14 burglary on the 6800 block of Creekside Road in Clarksville.

In that theft, police said the burglar entered the house through an unlocked window and stole a safe with a green coin purse of foreign currency, jewelry, the deed to a house and additional documents.

According to police, during the search of Stone's house they found a green coin purse which the Clarksville resident identified as hers.

Police also charged Stone in an Aug. 31 burglary on the 5900 block of Bright Flows Mews in Columbia. The victim told police that he woke up at about 3:40 a.m. to a man in his bedroom, looking over the dresser.

The victim told police he yelled at the man to leave, which he did. Police say that an investigation revealed that a sheer, gold bag with gift cards had been stolen from the home.

Police said that during the Nov. 22 search of Stone's house, they had found a sheer, gold bag with gift cards.

Stone had been released on bail after his Nov. 22 arrest, but Howard County police issued a new warrant and he was arrested by Baltimore City Police.

He is currently being held in Baltimore City and faces first-, third- and fourth-degree burglary, as well as charges of destruction of property, auto theft and resisting arrest.

According to court records, Stone also is facing drug charges in Baltimore City.

Related:

- Three Teens Robbed

- Police Make 3 Arrests for 4 Home Burglaries

For more local news, sign up for the Ellicott City Patch newsletter. Keep the conversation going on Facebook and Twitter.

Related Topics: Clarksville burglaries, Columbia burglaries, Howard County Police, and Robert W. Stone

Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.

Cola MD

2:20 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012

So wait, this guy was released on bail as well after being caught red handed and arrested at the scene of the crime? WTF IS GOING ON IN HOWARD COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM!!!! Someone PLEASE tell me this releasing of criminals on bail is going to stop!!! Or does a resident who confronts one of these guys and gets hurt of killed in the process going to be what it takes for people to wake up. Absolutely ridiculous...

Joe

4:44 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012

This man has 2 nolle pross. One for 1st Degree Assault and one for CARRY WEAP OPEN INTENT INJURE.

Why was he not prosecuted. He also has racked up quite the cost to the taxpayer on all his traffic offenses. It is these people who cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions a year in criminal justice costs.

Polly

10:47 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012

Joe - I can't speak for the particulars for this guy but, I can tell you a true story that happened to me. I have a crazy neighbor who seems to think that none of the rules of peaceful living apply to her. I got fed up and as much as I hated to do so, I did start filing valid, written complaints to the leasing office. Well, this just set her over the edge, to which I was verbally assaulted. It was to me a very scary experience one that I don't ever want to go through again. I was in real fear that she was going to hit me and being disabled and old enough to be her mother which is what I wanted to avoid. It finally ended when I asked her to get off my property to which she started screaming that I hit her!! It just didn't happen but, she was so mad and I'm sure really wanted me to hit her so she could "defend" herself and I just wouldn't let it happen. She called the police, which came within a few minutes. First they listened to her and then talked to me as well. There wasn't any marks on her but, she just ranted on and on mostly about me filing all the complaints. The police advised her that there was nothing they could do, but, if she wanted to file charges against me she could and just needed to go to the Commissioner on duty and fill out a complaint. I was charged with 2nd degree assault! I was mortified. Thankfully the prosecuters saw through her and refused to prosecute. Lesson, just because someone has been charged doesn't make it prosecutable.

Dave A.

10:56 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012

We're would they put him? The Detention Center is overcrowded, Patuxent Institute is over crowded, all the detention centers in Md are overcrowded. Maybe they can build a new prison in Columbia?

Polly

10:14 am on Friday, November 30, 2012

@ Dave A.
OR they could let those with marijuana use/possession type cases out and make room for the more violent and/or dangerous.

Colliemom

11:42 am on Friday, November 30, 2012

He quite literally was caught red handed and they RELEASED him on bail? What the heck is going on in Howard County? I don't mind some of my tax dollars going to build more jails; just make them spartan and uncomfortable with no amenities.

Greg G.

11:50 am on Friday, November 30, 2012

I agree with Polly. Let the dopers go and take care of the real criminals.HoCo get your act together before we vote or demand all your resignations. Did Oreon set this guy's bail as well? If so we really need to get rid of him.

Brandie Jefferson

9:22 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Hi Greg,
The commissioner at his bail hearing was not Oreon W. Pinkston, just so you know -- I'm planning on following up with this on Monday.

Remmy

2:55 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

When you let the dopers go, they commit more and more crimes to get their fix. These dopers are problematic to our society. They rob, they commit domestic violence, and become distributors just to satisfy their habit. Sadly with the economy, lack of jobs we will see more and more of those who have less, take from those who have worked hard for their assets and have more. They have the mindset, they will personally equalize the distribution of wealth to enhance their substance abuse. No bail for this criminal. There is a 4 x 8 square to place his body within the prison system. You do the crime you do the time. It is obvious Howard County Police Department passed the buck to Baltimore County to house this criminal. Maybe instead of building new roads for developers with our tax dollars; perhaps those dollars should go to building a new prison, for the safety of the law abiding public.

Greg G.

3:24 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Remmy you are confusing hard drug addicts with pot smokers = dopers. Pot smokers are too busy looking for their Doritos and Frisbees to bother with the crime I am talking about. We are crowding our jails needlessly with people like this. The heroin or meth types..you stick them in a hole. I agree. In the meantime lets leave the jail cells for the real criminals like this clown and let the pot smokers play nintendo.

Polly

6:38 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Remmy, please educate yourself before you spout such nonsense.

Marijuana smokers has I'm fairly certain ever been charged with or convicted of any of those types of offenses. Pot smokers are content to simply "chill" and are certainly not aggressive in any form or fashion. And you could look that up or google it yourself.

And did you know that it is now legal in some states and DC for medical use, as it should be. Now if the feds would just let those states decide for themselves without arresting those with valid prescriptions at licensed dispensaries with the crime of possession.

And just for the record I'm well into my 50's and choose to not use the stuff myself and haven't for a long, long time. But, I do remember high school in the early 70's and you would have been hard pressed to find anyone who didn't get "high" from time to time.

Again, if those folks were let go there would be so much more room made to accomodate those more prone to violence or more serious crimes.

Liz G.

7:24 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Why are the bonds set so low that these thieves can manage to find a way to pay their way out of jail? Is our court system that overwork that they can't find a way to put these people away as punishment for their crimes? So what if the jails are crowded! Why should criminals have more rights than law abiding citizens? Why should they be living in comfort while their victims scramble to install more deadbolts and house alarms and live like they are the prisoners? I vote for a better judical system. Put them away and let them suffer! They brought it on theirselves!

Polly

7:37 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Liz - bail is not about punishment, it's about securing appearance at all court proceedings.

for crying out loud I do wish some would at least educate themselve a bit before flying off the handle with ridiculous comments. SMH

nonya buisness

9:51 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012

Obviously none of you know this Guy. He never was a drug addict or a violent person. Just a Guy down on his luck. I personly know him and once this is over with Howard County Police or Hazard County will throw every unsolved Burglary Case on him to clear the books. Think about this, Do you feel safe knowing that the real culprits of those other cases are still on the streets? I know he didn't do the other Burglaries he just had to many friends dumping stolen items at his house. Wake up Howard County your tax dollars are putting a lot of lipstick on this pig.

k

1:40 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012

There is a lot of people in this world "down on thier luck" and they don't turn to criminal behavior and rob innocent victims. He is a low-life thief and habitual criminal and belongs behind bars like any other thugs that can't live within the rules of society. There is no justification for his behavior. Do the crime, do the time!!

Turtle Beoulve

1:02 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Well, if he's letting people drop off stolen goods at his residence, let him take the blame or turn in the other criminals. A lot of people are down on their luck, it doesn't give him any right to break in to homes and steal cars.

Colliemom

8:03 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Give us a break. This guy has a long criminal history, likes to throw rocks to break glass to gain entry to other people's homes then steal their stuff. This is not his first dance. He is a career criminal - he steals instead of working for a living. Have to be crazy to defend that behavior - makes for a lousy community for the rest of us. Normal, ethical people don't have "friends dumping stolen items at his house" - he not only steals himself, but he helps others to do so (if that's true, which I'm doubting). And you're defending him? That's also helping criminal behavior. He's done wrong, he needs to be locked up for a very long time since he's proven he's able and willing to keep stealing from others.

jennifer

12:45 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

to nonya:Wow I'm "down on my luck"(jobless) so does that mean I get to rob people too?so if it feels good do it-right? then he allows "friends" to drop off other stolen items as well how convieniant, another innocent man right? what cowards both of you are be ashamed.

B.T.

8:17 am on Sunday, December 2, 2012

There is no accountability on either side. The law "enforcement" in howard is a laughable. And no one thinks about what they are doing to someones life when they steal. And the taxpayer bears the brunt of it all.

Greg G.

3:20 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Nonya....spare me. I live a nice life style, but at one point in my life I lived out of my VW rabbit. I didnt rob anyone. I worked several bs jobs until I could get a nice little simple one room efficiency. I then worked my way through college with three jobs. You will get no sympathy from me for people that try to take what I worked hard to earn.

helen4love

6:21 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

hello dear
Nice to meet you My name is miss helen. am a young girl I was impressed when i saw your profile today and i will like to establish a long lasting relationship with you. In addition, i will like you to reply me through my e-mail address(jonathan_helen@ymail.com) so that i will give you my picture of you to know whom i am, please i will like to tell you how much interested i am in knowing more about you, i think we can start from here and share our feelings together as one. please contact me back with my mail address Thanks waiting to hear from you dear.yours new friend (jonathan_helen@ymail.com)