Two early morning attempted burglaries reported

COLUMBIA — Two attempted burglaries woke residents early Wednesday morning near Snow Mass Drive in Columbia, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

Two people who live in the 100 block of Snow Mass Drive were awakened by a knock on the door shortly after 1 a.m. and saw through a window a man at their front door talking on a cell phone.

After knocking a few more times, the man vanished from sight. A short time later one of the residents of the house saw two men on the back patio trying to force open a sliding door and then the kitchen window.

The resident of the house confronted the burglar at the window and both men ran away toward a car parked nearby, the report said.

While police were investigating, officers received a report of another attempted burglary blocks away in the 4800 block of Alpine Ridge. The noise made by the breaking of a front window awakened the residents of the house. According to the news release, the burglar apparently did not get into the house.

The Columbia Police Department asks for additional information to be submitted to the CrimeStoppers Web site or by calling 875-8477. Names can be anonymous and rewards of up to $1,500 might be available if the information leads to an arrest.