Suspect assaults employee during shoplifting attempt at Columbia JCPenney as vehicle thefts spike across Howard County
Columbia, MD – A suspected shoplifter assaulted a store employee at the JCPenney in The Mall in Columbia Tuesday evening after being confronted while attempting to leave with stolen merchandise, according to the Howard County Police Department’s daily crime bulletin.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on October 28 in the 10300 block of Little Patuxent Parkway. Police say the male suspect fled the scene after the assault. No injuries were reported, and the suspect has not been identified as of Wednesday.
In addition to the attempted robbery, multiple vehicle-related crimes were reported across Howard County overnight, including thefts from vehicles, stolen license plates, and full vehicle thefts.
Laurel (20723) saw several incidents:
- Tools were reported stolen overnight between October 27 and 28 from a vehicle on the 10100 block of North Second Street.
- Tires were taken on October 28 from a vehicle on the 9000 block of Maier Road.
- A gray 2025 Honda HR-V with Maryland tags 6GK8856 was stolen overnight from the 9100 block of Moonshine Hollow.
- A white 2017 Honda CR-V with Maryland tags 7GN3248 was reported stolen from the 9200 block of Livery Lane between October 27 and 29.