Howard County police have charged a group of suspects for stealing numerous vehicles during a six-month period in 2022.
Altogether, police closed 16 vehicle thefts with these arrests. The thefts occurred from February-July in Laurel, Elkridge, Hanover, and in neighboring jurisdictions.
- Alexander Bennett, 19, of Laurel, is charged with 15 counts of motor vehicle theft and 30 total counts of felony theft.
- An 18-year-old male from Elkridge, who was 17 years old at the time of the incidents, is charged in 11 vehicle thefts. He also is charged with weapon violations for a handgun recovered during the investigation and in five theft-from-vehicle cases.
- A 17-year-old male from Laurel is charged in 16 vehicle thefts and in two theft-from-vehicle cases.
- A 17-year-old male from Columbia is charged in two vehicle thefts.
Detectives allege that the suspects worked together to steal vehicles for personal use, to sell them, or to use them to commit other thefts. Many of the stolen vehicles were recovered in the Laurel area.
Residents are encouraged to review tips to help prevent auto theft/theft from auto that can make you and your vehicle less likely to be victimized.
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