Crime & Safety

Police Charge Suspects in Columbia Mall Jewelry Store Armed Robbery

The arrests came as a result of a tip after photographs of the suspects were released to the public, police said.

Howard County Police have charged three men in the armed robbery of a jewelry store in The Mall in Columbia last week.

The suspects have been identified as Deontaye Derrick Harvey, 20, of 1112 N. Parrish St. in Baltimore; Gary Donnell Braxton Jr., 25, of 703 Lexington St. in Baltimore; and Aaron Pratt, 19, of 2008 Wylie Ave. in Baltimore.

All three have been charged with armed robbery, robbery, first- and second-degree assault, use of a handgun to commit a felony, reckless endangerment and theft, police said.

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They are accused of entering Edmund Arthur Jewelers a little before 12:47 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, showing a handgun and demanding jewelry from a case. Police said they got away with about $300,000 in "high-end watches." 

Their arrests came thanks to a tip, according to police.

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Surveillance cameras in the mall captured photos of the suspects. Police released those photos, and someone who recognized the suspects contacted authorities.

The tipster will receive a reward, police said.

All three suspects are being held at the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup. Harvey is being held without bond, and Braxton and Pratt are being held on $250,000 bond, police said.

Investigators are looking into whether the suspects were involved in other similar robberies around the region.


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