A Parkville convenience store owner says he's been targeted three times in recent weeks by the same group of six young adults, who he says have stolen large amounts of vape and tobacco products from his shelves. Muhammad Bilal says the repeated thefts have left him frustrated, his clerk rattled, and his business bracing for a costly security overhaul just to keep the doors open safely.
Bilal shared security footage showing the group ransacking his store, according to WBAL News Radio. He says the crew doesn't just barge in randomly — they watch customer traffic first, then wait until the garage section of the business closes before striking. Their targets, Bilal says, are consistent: vape products, cigarettes and cigars, grabbed in bulk before anyone can stop them.
A Clerk Pushed Aside, a Business on Edge
Bilal says members of the group sometimes push his store clerk out of the way during the raids. That clerk, per the same report, is now scared and considering quitting for his own safety — a sign of how quickly the repeated incidents have worn down the people actually working the counter when the group shows up.
Bilal says police do respond after each incident, collecting basic details and filing reports. But he believes that's where it ends. “They take the basic details, but I think they don't do anything,” he said, according to the station's report. Baltimore County police, for their part, said the case remains under investigation.
Thirty Thousand Dollars in Security, and a Sense of Disbelief
Bilal says he's now prepared to spend up to $30,000 on security upgrades, including installing bulletproof glass in front of the cashier counter and moving the counter itself to the other side of the store. He immigrated to the U.S. from England five years ago, and said he was surprised by the brazenness of American criminals. He added that the repeated incidents are especially frustrating because his business offers jobs to the local community.
Bilal isn't alone in sounding the alarm. Another business owner, Hafiz Habbulah, is also concerned about the ongoing thefts in the area. “We need to stop this from happening. This violence. We need to stop,” he said, per the same account.
Not an Isolated Problem in Parkville
The pattern Bilal describes echoes a separate case just reported in the same area: a gas station at a busy Parkville intersection, sitting directly across from the county police precinct, was burglarized three times in two weeks, according to Fox Baltimore. The gas station's owner was Mohammad Bilal, and its clerk, Manjeet Singh, believed the same group of six teens was behind those break-ins. “I've decided I can't work anymore at this store,” Singh said. “I'm scared.” County police said detectives were actively investigating all three reported incidents there, reviewing surveillance footage and pursuing additional leads.
The frustration voiced by Parkville shop owners reflects concerns about theft among local businesses.
Other Parkville businesses have also faced theft-related concerns.
For now, Bilal's case remains under investigation by Baltimore County police, with no resolution yet in sight. He's moving ahead with his own plans — new glass, a relocated counter, and tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades — while hoping the raids on his Parkville store finally stop.
