Four teens arrested in burglary string

COLUMBIA, Md. - Police say they arrested four teens and an adult in connection to 16 burglaries in Howard County.

According to Police they arrested a 13-year-old, two 14-year-olds and a 17-year-old, all boys.  They also arrested Charles Rodriguez, 24, for selling stolen merchandise.  The group first burgled a business on November 6, according to police, and continued until January 22.

According to Police, the group burgled the following businesses:

• DAS Auto Service, Dobbin Center Way, Columbia, Nov. 6
• Dobbin Auto Body, Dobbin Center Way, Columbia, Nov. 6
• US 1 Flea Market, Washington Blvd., Elkridge, Nov. 16
• Rudy’s Mediterranean Grill, Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, Dec. 8
• Olive Garden, Benson Drive, Columbia, Dec. 8
• US 1 Flea Market, Washington Blvd., Elkridge, Dec. 16
• US 1 Flea Market, Washington Blvd., Elkridge, Dec. 20
• Soccer America, Dobbin Road, Columbia, Dec. 28
• LA Boxing, Dobbin Center Way, Columbia, Dec. 31
• Lakeside Coffee and Café, Wincopin Circle, Jan. 3
• Mad City Coffee, Hickory Ridge Road, Columbia, Jan. 3
• Columbia Nail Salon, Hickory Ridge Road, Columbia, Jan. 3
• Bright Stars Learning Academy, Cedar Lane, Columbia, Jan. 3
• Cradlerock Market, Cradlerock Way, Columbia, Jan. 3
• Concentra, Dobbin Road, Columbia, Jan. 22
• J&D Jewelry, Dobbin Road, Columbia, Jan. 22

Police say evidence left behinds at the Cradlerock Mart burglary helped them identify the teens.  Also, after the J&D Jewelry robbery, police told several jewelry stores to look out for people trying to sell a large amount of silver at one time.  The next day, Monica Jewelers in the Columbia Mall called police when Rodriguez tried to sell them jewelry that police say was stolen from J&D Jewelry.  Rodriguez and the 17-year-old were arrested at that time.

In the burglaries, police say the group stole a safe, cash, stereo equipment, knives, jewelry, a laptop and an ATM machine.

Police are not releasing the names of the teens because they are juveniles.