Police Investigating Connection Between Door Smashing Burglaries

Howard County Police are investigating the possibility that four burglaries may be connected after they were committed in a similar manner—doors kicked in—within two miles of eachother in Ellicott City.

The burglaries occurred in residential developments just off St. Johns Lane between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday while many residents are at work.

Three other burglaries with similar methods also took place Monday afternoon in Clarksville and Columbia.

"Anytime similarities show up in the same geographical area with the same method of entry [police] do see if there was a link," said Mary Phelan, a police spokesperson.

Residences near the following blocks were struck in Ellicott City:

• 4000 block of Chatham Road - occurred between 10 a.m. and noon on Monday - The front door was kicked in, master bedroom ransacked and an iPod Touch, cash, jewelry, silver flatware, a pitcher, candlesticks and salt and pepper shakers were reported stolen.
• 9100 block of Northfield Drive - ocurred between 10:45 a.m. and 11:54 a.m. Monday - The front door was smashed in, kitchen and three bedrooms were ransacked, cash and a white pillow case were stolen.
• 3900 block of Foxhill Drive - occurred between 8:30 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. on Monday - The side door to the residence was kicked in, breaking the door frame, the master bedroom was ransacked, no items taken, a small jewelry box from a child's room had been damaged and left on living room floor.
• 3900 Clovelly Road - occurred between 8:50 a.m. and 1:58 p.m. Monday - The back door was kicked in, breaking the door frame and the kitchen, office and bedroom were ransacked. A brown pillow case with red stripes, cash and two Ravens tickets were reported stolen.

In addition to the four burglaries in Ellicott City, three other burglaries occurred around Howard County with similar methods of entry on Monday.

A residence near the 5600 block of Trotter Road in Columbia had its front door kicked in and master bedroom ransacked between 11:30 a.m. and 2:25 p.m., according to police. Oxycodone, jewelry, and a shotgun were reported stolen from that residence.

A master bedroom was ransacked, but nothing was reported missing at a residence near 5000 Amesbury Drive in Columbia between 12:10 p.m. and 12:50 p.m.

And, lastly, the front door of a residence near the 10200 block of Clarksville Pike in Clarksville was kicked in and jewlery was stolen from the master bedroom between 7 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Phelan said "it's possible" that the other three burglaries may be related, although they occurred in geographic areas other than the ones in Ellicott City.

Phelan said police don't currently have any suspect information, but anyone who thinks they may have information can contact police at 410-313-2200.

Editor's Note: In approximately the eighth paragraph an original version of this article read "four robberies in Ellicott City" and "three other robberies." That is incorrect, they were burglaries, we regret the error. A correction has been made.