Crime & Safety

Eight Arrested During 'Reverse Prostitution' Sting: Howard County Crime Roundup

A sampling of crime reported in Columbia and around Howard County.

Compiled from a news release and the daily police bulletin.

Eight men were arrested last week during a “reverse prostitution sting,” which used female police officers dressed in plainclothes to target those who offer money for sex.

Howard County police say seven men are facing charges of solicitation of prostitution: Michael Eddie Crew, 50, of Owings Mills; James Shannon Mahoney, 41, of Severn; Jose Antonio Malagon-Vega, 26, of Laurel; Bienvenu Koungue Mouafo, 49, of Potomac; Anthony Luis Padilla, 42, of Chesapeake; Ronald Shaw, 46, of Washington, D.C. (he is also facing charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia); and Owen Collin Wright, 35, of Laurel.

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The eighth man, Taurus D. Wheeler, 31, of Upper Marlboro, is facing charges of human trafficking and making a false statement to a police officer, according to police. He is accused of attempting to hire a female officer to work for him as a prostitute and, later, giving police a fake name.

The sting took place on Friday, April 15, along Route 1 in Laurel in areas chosen following citizen complaints, police said. Howard County police conducted six such stings last year and arrested 76 people.

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Long Reach: Robbery

A person walking at the intersection of Tamar Drive and Streetwind Place was approached, assaulted and robbed by three men, according to police. The men robbed him of his backpack, which had sneakers inside.

The robbery was reported at 7:04 p.m. on Friday, April 15.

One suspect was described as having a thin build, long dreadlocked hair and wearing blue jeans. Another suspect was described as 6-foot-3, wearing a skullcap, a black coat and blue jeans. The third suspect was described as 5-foot-7 and wearing a black coat and blue jeans.

Savage: Robbery (with arrests)

Two people were arrested following a robbery at the intersection of Baltimore and Foundry streets.

Akili Dwayne Moore, 18, of 8757 Lincoln St. in Savage, has been charged with robbery, second-degree assault and theft, according to police. A juvenile male was also arrested.

Police say Moore and the other suspect assaulted and robbed a victim who was walking in the area at about 2:48 a.m. on Sunday, April 17. The victim was robbed of his sweatshirt, police said. He later gave police a description of the suspects’ car. The suspects were arrested after a traffic stop, police said.

Laurel: Robbery

A person who was walking south on Route 1 was approached by two people from behind, assaulted and robbed of his wallet, according to police. The robbery happened in the area of Route 1 and Madison Avenue and was reported at about 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 17.

Oakland Mills: Burglary

Video game systems, tablet computers, a laptop, jewelry and a backpack were stolen from a residence on the 5700 block of Stevens Forest Road. The suspect or suspects got inside after tampering with a lock. The burglary happened sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, April 16.

Oakland Mills: Break-in

Nothing was reported stolen from a residence on the 5700 block of Stevens Forest Road. There were no signs of forced entry. The suspect or suspects “disturbed items in the home,” police said. The break-in happened sometime between 10:50 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, April 16.

Harper’s Choice: Burglary

A video game system was stolen from a residence on the 5500 block of Harpers Farm Road. The suspect or suspects got inside after kicking in a front door. The burglary happened sometime between 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, and 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 17.

Ellicott City: Burglary

A video game system and mp3 players were stolen from a residence on the 9000 block of Town and Country Boulevard. There were no signs of forced entry. The burglary happened sometime between 5 p.m. and 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, April 17.

Ellicott City and Elkridge: Vehicle Thefts

- Ellicott City: A blue 2005 Yamaha TTR 125 was stolen from the 3100 block of West Springs. It was reported stolen at 4:35 p.m. on Sunday, April 17.

- Elkridge: A red 2010 Ford Focus with New York license plate EJH867 was stolen from the 6100 block of Washington Boulevard. It was reported stolen at 7:43 a.m. on Saturday, April 16.


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