Home Invasion With Injuries Reported In Columbia: Howard County Police

COLUMBIA, MD — Residents were rattled when they learned about a home invasion robbery that happened in the 8400 block of Oak Bush Terrace Jan. 26 around 3:20 a.m.

Several men with their faces covered broke a sliding glass door to gain entry into the home. They pulled out a gun, assaulted one resident and stole items, according to the Howard County Police Department. The suspects then stole the residents' vehicle, a 2004 Honda Accord, that was later recovered nearby. No additional information was available from the police department.

According to data provided by the Howard County Police Department, there were 420 incidents of burglaries/breaking and entering across Howard County in 2023. There were 133 robberies committed and 16 stolen property offenses.

While police do not yet have suspects in custody, Seth Hoffman, spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, spoke with Patch and shared several tips to help keep homeowners and their property safe.

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," Hoffman said.
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.