HOWARD COUNTY POLICE BEAT – Burglar boys rounded up by cops; Dirt bike complaint results in drug bust of Deshawn Reed & Faiq Mastin

HOWARD COUNTY POLICE BEAT – Burglar boys rounded up by cops; Dirt bike complaint results in drug bust of Deshawn Reed & Faiq Mastin

SAVAGE, MD. – Howard County Police report one adult and four juveniles rounded up for a burglary committed in the 8800 block of Baltimore Street, Jan. 22, 2018, at 4:30 p.m.

Police responded to a report that several individuals were inside a vacant residence without permission. Police located five suspects inside and arrested them.

ARRESTED: Sebastian Cruz, 18, of 8542 Foxborough Drive in Savage, Md., charged with burglary and destruction of property, and four male juveniles, 13, 14, 14, 15, charged with breaking & entering. Cruz has a preliminary hearing on Feb. 22, 2018, in Howard County District Court.

Dirt bike complaint results in drug bust of Deshawn Reed & Faiq Mastin

Neighborhood Community Resource Officers (NCROs) in Howard County recently followed up on dirt bike complaints on Columbia trails and ended up finding 70 vials of suspected crack cocaine in the process of the investigation.

Officers were working to address noise complaints related to dirt bikes in the Owen Brown area and determined that one of the bikes had been recently stolen during a transaction arranged through the online sale site OfferUp. When the seller arrived at the agreed-upon meeting place, the fake buyer took the bike and never returned. The victim later saw the same bike for sale online under a different account.

Through investigation, police identified the theft suspect as Deshawn Reed, 19, of Columbia and served a search warrant at a residence on Hickory Log Circle, where Reed had been staying. When officers served the warrant, they located the stolen dirt bike and arrested Reed for the theft, and for possessing a quantity of marijuana intended for distribution. They also located rounds of ammunition, for which charges are pending.

Police also discovered 70 vials of suspected crack cocaine in the apartment with evidence linking those drugs to a Baltimore man, Faiq Matin. A warrant was issued for Matin’s arrest, and he was taken into custody on Jan. 24, 2018, in Baltimore.

Residents should also note that Howard County Police provide three designated “Transaction Safe Place” locations for sales arranged online

As evidenced by this case, NCROs are an important part of tackling neighborhood crime and nuisance problems. By working with local NCROs, residents can help address issues occurring in their own communities. For more information, call HCPD Community Outreach at 410-313-2207 or email HCPDoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.

Residents should also note that Howard County Police provide three designated “Transaction Safe Place” locations for sales arranged online. Parking spaces marked with yellow signs are available at the Northern District station in Ellicott City; the Southern District station in Laurel; and the new Community Outreach facility on Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. Individuals may also use the lobby of each station.

These “Safe Place” areas are video recorded every day, around the clock. If a buyer or seller refuses to meet at a police station, residents may want to reconsider the transaction.

Gunmen hold up truck driver in business storage yard

ELKRIDGE, MD. – Howard County Police report that a man was robbed by two black males, one armed with a gun and the other brandishing a knife, at Arevalo Towing, 6700 block of Washington Boulevard, Jan. 20 9:32 p.m.

An adult male victim reported he was in the towing yard of the business when two male suspects with their faces partially covered approached him. One displayed a handgun and demanded the victim’s possessions, including a wallet and cell phones. The other suspect displayed a knife. The victim complied, and the suspects fled. No one was injured. The investigation is ongoing.

SUSPECTS: two black males, one 6’0” with a thin build wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants, the other 5’8” with a medium build wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and gray pants.

Cops Nab PG Kid in Burglary, Accomplice Escaped

COLUMBIA, MD. – Howard County Police report that an arrest of a juvenile has been made in the case of a break-in at a residence in the 6000 block of Majors Lane, Jan. 19 3:14 p.m.

A witness reported that two suspects had forced entry into an apartment through a sliding glass door. Police responded, observed one suspect exiting the apartment and arrested him. One of the burglars is still on the prowl.

ARRESTED: juvenile male, 17, of Capitol Heights, charged with burglary

SUSPECT: black male in his late teens or early 20s wearing all black, no further description.

Burglar Busted

GLENELG, MD. –  3700 block of Ivory Road, Jan. 20 6:52 p.m.  Police report that a resident observed a male suspect attempting to gain entry into the residence. Police responded, located the suspect, and arrested him.

ARRESTED: Sidney Errol Smith Jr., 41, charged with breaking and entering.

Bozo Anthony Mooney faces charges of shooting at stop sign

MT. AIRY, MD. Long Corner Road & Frederick Road, Jan. 21 10:47 p.m. Howard County Police report that officers responded to a report of gunshots and discovered a stop sign that had been shot. Police located the suspect vehicle in the area and arrested a suspect who was in possession of a handgun. No one was injured.

ARRESTED: Anthony Michael Mooney, 24, of Long Corner Road in Mt. Airy, charged with weapon violations, destruction of property, and reckless endangerment