Greater Elkridge Police Report: March 21–30

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Two men robbed the in Elkridge at gunpoint at 11:06 p.m. and left with money through the rear of the restaurant, according to Howard County police. Both suspects were described as being between 6' and 6'4" and weighing between 200 and 220 pounds. Their faces were covered, police said.

Prescription medication was stolen from the in Elkridge after a motel room door was pried open. The burglary was reported at 8:30 p.m.

In an in the Columbia mall’s Edward Arthur Jewelers, hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry was stolen, according to Howard County police, who are still looking for the suspects. The robbery was reported at 12:47 p.m.

There was a locomotive fire on the CSX tracks in Annapolis Junction in Jessup at approximately 4:30 a.m., said Howard County fire officials. The fire was limited to one compartment of the train and did not result in any injuries, according to the .

Tuesday, March 29

An armed robbery was reported at 8:41 p.m. on the 8300 block of Widgeon Way in Laurel, according to Anne Arundel County police. A woman was getting out of her vehicle when she was approached by a male suspect armed with a gun who demanded money, said police. After she handed over her wallet, the suspect entered a four-door white sedan and drove off. On March 30, Anne Arundel police officers identified and charged Nicholas J. Papanicolas, 21, of Laurel, with armed robbery, robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and theft, according to court records.

In what police said was a suicide attempt around 3:30 p.m., a near Harpers Choice and Cedar Lane. He was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, said police.

Sunday, March 27

A Silver Spring man was arrested after police said he attempted to break into the Arby's on the 7400 block of Assateague Drive in Jessup. David Omar Cruz-Andrade, 25, has been charged with fourth-degree burglary and malicious destruction of property, according to the Howard County Police Department. A witness saw someone trying to get inside the restaurant by prying open its drive-through window at about 6:20 a.m., said officials, who found and arrested Cruz-Andrade upon arriving.

Saturday, March 26

Two suspects were seen cutting a chain at Mayer Brothers (6264 Race Rd.) in Elkridge at approximately 9:30 a.m. They ran away after being discovered, said police.

Friday, March 25

An at approximately 10 a.m. after the mother neglected to put her car in park, which then rolled over her and her two children. The mother and surviving child were hospitalized.

Tools were stolen from Performance Motorsports (6653 Washington Blvd.) in Elkridge, reported at 8 a.m. A side door had been pried open, according to police.

Tuesday, March 22

A Hanover man was arrested following a break-in on the 6500 block of Arrow Way in Elkridge. Marcus Eric Rowland, 19, of the 6400 block of Norris Street, has been charged with fourth-degree burglary, failure to obey a police officer and disorderly conduct. He knocked on the door of the residence, then pushed his way inside when the resident answered the door, said police. The resident then pushed Rowland out and locked the door. Police say they found Rowland upon arrival and that he appeared to be intoxicated.

A gas leak on a construction site near Arundel Mills led to evacuation of all buildings within a half-mile radius of the , according to Anne Arundel County police. It was reported at 9:05 a.m.

A mountain bike, bike rack, scooters and skateboard were stolen from a garage on the 7000 block of Calvert Drive, reported at 8 a.m.

At around 1:30 a.m., Southwestern Video on the 5600 block of Southwestern Boulevard in Arbutus was broken into through the glass front door. Nothing was taken from the business, said Baltimore County police. Surveillance video revealed the suspect fleeing the scene in a vehicle that was subsequently located.

Monday, March 21

There was a break-in at a home on the 6800 block of Norris Lane in Elkridge. The break-in was reported at 6:34 p.m.

There was a break-in at a Richmond American Homes construction site on the 6300 block of Old Washington Road in Elkridge, reported at 8:41 a.m.

Arbutus Patch editor Bruce Goldfarb and Columbia Patch editor David Greisman contributed to this report.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that the suspect in the March 29 armed robbery in Laurel has been arrested.