WASHINGTON — Police nabbed two Grinches who were trying to steal Christmas from residents of a Howard County neighborhood on Wednesday.
Police stopped a box truck full of packages that were stolen from homes in a Columbia neighborhood after receiving a report of a suspicious truck in the area of Graystone Lane. A caller had seen the individuals taking packages from their neighbors’ homes.
Police arrested Ernest Ohanyan, 25, and Amjad Jaouni, 28, both of Baltimore, when they stopped the truck which had as many as 77 stolen packages inside. The two men each face three counts of theft.
Officers planned to return to the neighborhood on Thursday to deliver the stolen box, many of which were holiday packages and included shipments from Amazon, Wal-Mart and even groceries.
Any packages not able to be delivered will be available for pickup at the Northern District station in Ellicott City from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 10. Residents are asked to bring photo identification or proof of address to collect their package.
Addresses of the stolen boxes are from the following streets: Tamar Drive, Dry Barley Lane, Four Foot Trail, Fire Cloud Court, Sanctuary Court, Dark Hawk Circle, Black Star Circle, Dry Stone Gate, Roan Stallion Lane, Dawn Whistle Lane, Sea Light Lane, Summer Cloud Way, Saddle Drive, Oak Bush Terrace and Silver Trumpet Drive.
Thefts of packages from porches and stoops are common this time of year as the holiday gifting season is in full swing.
Howard County police encourage residents to track any expected shipments and to try and be home to receive the delivery. Other options include having the package shipped to a work address or asking a neighborhood to collect the package.
Police ask residents to call 911 to report any suspicious vehicles or behavior.
