Columbia suspect beat woman to death, hospitalized man during break-in, police say

COLUMBIA, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A Columbia man broke into an apartment and used a baseball bat to beat two people - killing a woman and hospitalizing a man - before stealing the woman's jewelry and a cellphone last week, police say.

Howard County police began investigating the incident on May 5 when family members asked them to check on the residents.

When they arrived, police found 36-year-old Amanda Nicole Harris dead, and 42-year-old William James Webb severely injured.

According to police, Webb is still in critical condition following the incident.

Investigators believe Wilson Orellana-Lemus, 22, broke into the home through an unlocked window before attacking the couple.

Orellana-Lemus is jailed without bail.

Police say the victims did not know their attacker.