Accused smash-and-grab robber jailed in Howard County

Howard police warrants detectives arrested Marvin Eugene Harding, 46, of no fixed address, June 30 in Baltimore City.

He?s being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center.

Harding initially was charged June 30 with one burglary after investigators identified him through surveillance video.

During the next two weeks, investigators found additional evidence linking him to previous burglaries, said police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn.

“It really took some time for investigators to realize he was involved in this many burglaries,” she said.

Police recorded 79 reports of smash-and-grab burglaries since January, so named because a large rock or object was used to smash a glass door or window to gain entry to a business.

This is up from 28 similar burglaries during the same time in 2007, police said.

Such businesses have included restaurants, liquor and convenience stores, auto repair shops, beauty shops, retail stores, office buildings andgas stations.

Some places targeted by Harding included a Sunoco gas station, Hunan Manor Restaurant, Uncle Charlie?s Chicken Factory and Image Makers Salon, all in Columbia, police said.

Since Harding was arrested, only one smash-and-grab has been reported, compared with the 15 in the two weeks before his arrest, said police spokesman Pfc. Bryce Buell.

“It depends on how much evidence we have,” he said, referring to additional charges Harding could face.

“We can?t speculate on the number. He?s certainly responsible for a large portion of these, but not all of them.”

The places burglarized were not isolated in any location, he said.

Typically, offenders are looking for cash, cash registers and anything else that?s easy to grab with some value, he said.

Harding also faces felony destruction of property and theft charges.

Detectives also recovered a stolen vehicle in Harding?s possession that was used during the burglaries, police said.

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