Anne Arundel County police are investigating a rise in thefts of driver-side airbags from parked vehicles in the Crofton, Hanover, and Laurel areas, with Honda Civics, Accords, and HR-Vs targeted most frequently in recent incidents.
Police described the trend as “a significant uptick in the last month” of driver’s-side airbag thefts, occurring overnight and happening quickly, concentrated in the county’s Western District. Officers said CR-Vs have also been targeted, in addition to the models named in this week’s advisory.
This isn’t the first time the pattern has surfaced locally. In April 2026, more than 20 airbags were stolen from vehicles across multiple Laurel neighborhoods in a single overnight spree, with thieves smashing windows to get inside. A separate string of thefts previously hit Hanover, where officers responded to numerous reports in the 7700 block of Arundel Mills Boulevard after driver’s-side windows were broken and airbags removed from several Honda vehicles. Airbag theft has remained a persistent issue across the broader Baltimore region, according to local body shop owners cited in past reporting.
Police are asking residents to take several precautions:
- When a garage is unavailable, park in a well-lit and visible location.
- Lock all doors and close all windows.
- Use a visible steering-wheel lock or other anti-theft device as an added deterrent.
- Consider an alarm equipped with glass-break or impact detection.
- Ensure exterior lighting and security cameras cover the vehicle.
- Do not leave valuables or charging cables visible inside the vehicle.
- Report suspicious activity promptly, and do not confront suspicious individuals.
Residents and business owners with home or business cameras are asked to review and preserve any footage showing suspicious people or vehicles in areas where thefts have occurred. Police are asking that video and information be provided directly to responding officers or investigators rather than posted publicly, since public disclosure could interfere with the investigation.
Anyone who witnesses a theft in progress should move to a safe location and call 911 rather than confront a suspect. Previously discovered thefts can be reported through the department’s non-emergency line at 410-222-8610 or online at the county police department’s crime-reporting portal.
