Police Search for Suspect in Eldersburg Weekend Armed Robberies

Maryland State Police troopers are searching for a suspect in two weekend armed robberies at Eldersburg businesses on Friday, according to a press release. 

On Friday, Feb. 18, at about 10 p.m., troopers from the Westminster barrack of the Maryland State Police said they responded to the rear of the Eldersburg Plaza Shopping Center, at 1438 Liberty Road in Eldersburg, for reports of a first-degree assault in which a white male suspect had brandished a handgun.

The victim, who works at an establishment in the shopping center, told troopers he walked to the rear of the shopping center to get an item from his car when he witnessed the suspect standing near his vehicle. When he approached the vehicle, he noticed the suspect had broken into it, according to the release. 

As the victim got closer to his car, the suspect produced a handgun and pointed it at the victim. The suspect then fled on foot, and entered an older model blue and white Ford pickup with possible Maryland tags, and left the area, according to the release. 

Fifteen minutes later, at 10:18 p.m., the Westminster Barrack received a call regarding an armed robbery at the Quick Stop Food Mart at 7503 Village Road in Sykesville. This is the third incident at the food mart this year. A man with a baseball bat was charged in two separate assault incidents at the business in January. 

Sykesville Police responded and an employee at the store said that a white male entered the store, brandished a black handgun and demanded cash. The employee handed over the cash drawer from the register, and the suspect fled on foot to the rear of the store. 

The employee gave a description of the suspect that was similar to the suspect in the incident behind Eldersburg Plaza.

It is believed that both crimes were committed by the same suspect, according to the release. Neither victim was injured in either incident.

The suspect was described as medium build, wearing black jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt, and a black ball cap.

A Howard County Police K-9 Unit and Howard County aviation unit responded and assisted with a search of the area for the suspect. The suspect was not located at that time. 

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the Westminster Barrack duty officer or Sgt. Stitcher at 410-386-3000.