Columbia resident victim of armed robbery
A Columbia man was attacked while walking downtown Friday night.
Published Aug. 25, 2009
A Columbia resident was robbed at knifepoint Friday night, a Columbia Police Department news release stated.
Twenty-nine-year-old Shawn McCarty was robbed at 1:30 a.m. Friday while walking near the intersection of Fifth Street and Park Avenue, the news release stated.
The release also stated McCarty was unsure of the exact number of suspects involved. He reported the suspects as three to five men, all between the ages of 15 and 17. At least one suspect's hair was in dreadlocks, and the suspect was wearing an oversized white shirt.
The victim attempted to physically fight off the suspects. He refused any medical treatment after the incident, the release stated.
The suspects robbed the victim of $300, a cell phone and a wallet containing various credit cards and other documents, the release stated. They fled from the intersection on foot.
CPD is still trying to locate the suspects involved in the incident.
"We are looking into similarities between this and other robberies in East Campus and in the downtown area," CPD Sgt. Timothy Moriarity said.
Moriarity also said of the six most recent armed robberies in Columbia, four of them have occurred in the East Campus area.
"It is the same kind of situation," Moriarity said. "Several suspects will jump somebody and steal their property."
The victims in these armed robberies have all typically been college-aged students.
Moriarity also said there are several precautions a student can take to prevent from being targeted for an armed robbery. Walking in numbers is encouraged.
"Make sure they have a buddy with them," Moriarity said of students on foot. "That will help reduce problems."
It is also important for students to be alert and aware of their surroundings, Moriarity said.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact Crime Stoppers at www.875tips.com.