A man who was arrested following a police pursuit in Columbia has been linked to multiple crimes during the past five months, Howard County Police said.
Robert Charles Davis, of Floral Drive in Hyattsville, was arrested after trying to evade police during a traffic stop on Jan. 16, police said. Officers attempted to stop Davis for a registration violation. He fled in his vehicle, striking several parked cars before abandoning the car he was drive and trying to flee on foot in the area of Thunder Hill Road. Police found and arrested him a short time later.
When detectives learned of Davis’ physical description and that of his vehicle, they matched it to a Columbia robbery from Dec. 20 of last year. In that incident, the two victims said a man approached them on Cradlerock Way and Garland Lane, displaying a handgun and taking their cellphones and a jacket before firing his gun in the area and taking off in a vehicle. No one was injured.
Police obtained a search warrant for a residence in Columbia where Davis was staying. While executing the warrant, police found evidence that connected Davis to the December street robbery, charging him with armed robbery, robbery, theft, assault, and reckless endangerment for that crime.
Police also found evidence they say connects Davis to three other burglaries as well. In two August 2018 incidents, a suspect entered the clubhouse at the Columbia Alister Apartments and stole gym equipment, electronics, and a chair. Police released video of those incidents that garnered much attention on social media as the identity of the suspect was sought. The leasing office of Columbia Commons was also burglarized in October. Evidence from all three incidents was connected to Davis. Police charged him with multiple counts of burglary and theft.
Police also found a credit card read/write device, embosser, and blank credit cards at Davis’ residence, charging him with possession of an encoding device. A stolen vehicle deemed to be in Davis’ possession also prompted charges of motor vehicle theft and rogue and vagabond.
Davis is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center.
