Panty Thief Pleads Guilty to Burglary

A Howard County apartment thief accused of stealing a bounty of panties and bras pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree burglary Tuesday, authorities said. The man had acknowledged committing one of the break-ins while wearing women's clothes, said a spokesman for the Howard County state's attorneys office.

Brian Eui Hong, 24, broke into apartments 12 months ago at the Town & Country complex in Ellicott City, according to authorities. County police had charged him with breaking into nine apartments, where "residents reported various valuables stolen, including jewelry, credit cards, clothing, electronics and cash. In each case, residents reported that large quantities of women's underwear also had been taken," police said in a statement.

Prosecutors said they will seek a prison sentence of eight years and restitution of at least $18,000. Circuit Court Judge Raymond Kane, Jr. scheduled sentencing for December.

In court Tuesday, Deputy State's Attorney Mary V. Murphy said a search of Hong's apartment turned up stolen designer handbags and other accessories, an antique bottle, clothing, a green bag containing numerous panties and bras, and about $5,800 in cash.

Murphy said Hong had told the detectives that he had a job and did not need the money, according to a statement by the state's attorneys office. Joseph Murtha, Hong's attorney, couldn't be reached Tuesday.

Detectives cracked the case after determining that a victim's stolen credit card had been used at an Exxon station in Ellicott City. Police reviewed surveillance video from the station and from it identified the suspect's distinctive car: a silver Toyota MR2 Spyder convertible with a black top. Days later, an officer spotted the vehicle and got the tag number, and police were able to track down Hong.