Howard County police are investigating two muggings near the Mall in Columbia on Saturday night that were allegedly committed by the same group of four men.
The first incident was reported at 10:59 p.m. at the 1400 block of Twin Rivers Road. According to police, a 14-year-old and 13-year-old were walking home from the AMC Columbia movie theater located on Little Patuxent Parkway when they were approached by four men, one of whom pointed a handgun at them. Police said one man went through the victim's pockets and stole an iPhone.
While police were investigating the first incident, a man approached the officers and reported his two kids were also mugged, police said. According to police, the victims were walking home from the the movie theater at 11:12 p.m. when four men jumped out of the woods and asked if they had an iPhone.
One man took out a black handgun, while the others went through their pockets, according to police. Cash was stolen.
Police believe the two incidents were committed by the same group, and are investigating.