Suspected Shoplifters Threaten Employees With Gun, Pepper Spray | Columbia, MD Patch

Oct 24, 2024

COLUMBIA, MD — A store employee at Dick's Sporting Goods in Columbia reported confronting two women who he believed had stolen merchandise. The women threatened to pepper spray him then took off without the merchandise, according to police.

The incident happened Oct. 21 around 2:45 p.m. at the store, which is located in the 6200 block of Columbia Crossing Circle, according to police. The suspects were found by Howard County Police and arrested. Ebony Alston, 42, and Takia Fowler, 33, of Washington, D.C., have been charged with robbery and theft, according to the HCPD.

Also on Oct. 21, a store employee at the Giant, located in the 8800 block of Centre Park Drive, reported that around 5 p.m., he confronted two women who had stole merchandise and threatened to shoot him when he stopped them. No weapon was visible, according to the police department. The women then took off with the merchandise, HCPD reported.