2013 in Review: Masked Invaders Rob Elderly Man's Home, Good Samaritan Donates TV

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Anne Arundel Patch is looking back at some of the top stories of the year that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head. This article first ran October 18, 2013.
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By D. Frank Smith
Police are searching for three suspects in a reported home invasion and assault of an elderly couple in Glen Burnie. 

A preliminary investigation suggests that the incident does not appear to be a random crime, according to Anne Arundel County police. 

Three men forced their way into an 87-year-old man's home on McPherson Road in Glen Burnie on Friday morning at about 5:27 a.m., police said. The man and his 73-year-old girlfriend were home at the time and all three suspects were reportedly wearing masks.

The three men assaulted the man and woman, then ransacked the home, taking money and property and fled in an unknown direction. 

The male victim contacted police with the help of a neighbor. He and the woman were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

UPDATE (Oct. 23, 2013)

An 87 year-old-man experienced the kindness of strangers shortly after he and his girlfriend were robbed in a home invasion last week.

Three men wearing ski masks forced their way into the home of Oliver Daff, 87, on McPherson Road in Glen Burnie Friday morning. The man and his 73-year-old girlfriend were tied up and injured in the incident.

The thieves took Daff's television, money and other items, police said.

Two days later, Prince George's County police officer Todd Miceli said he heard about the crime on the news, and felt he should help. Miceli told NBC News Washington that seeing that happen to an elderly person was "heart-wrenching."

"I think it comforted him a little bit to know there are some folks out there that care about him," Miceli said.

Miceli wasn't the only person who thought to help, said Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy.

"I think it struck a chord with the community, quite frankly," Mulcahy said. "The outreach has been huge, but now we want to convert that into tips. The best way people can help right now is to report anything they may have seen that morning."

Mulcahy called the acts of the thieves cowardly, and said the community could help bring them to justice.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police at 410-222-6155. Anonymous tips can be left at Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.