Series of armed robberies might be related, CPD says
The three incidents shared similar suspect descriptions.
Published March 12, 2010
The Columbia Police Department is investigating a series of possibly related armed robberies that started Monday, CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said.
Haden said three robberies have occurred at local businesses from Monday through Wednesday. With the incidences happening in such a short amount of time and with similar descriptions of the perpetrator, Haden said they might be related.
"We don't know if it is the same person," Haden said. "It very well could be."
The first robbery was at about 7 p.m. Monday at the Rangeline Liquor & CStore at 905 Safari Drive, Haden said. The suspect entered the store wearing a ski mask, a sweatshirt, blue jeans and tennis shoes. Haden said the suspect had a handgun and demanded money from the clerk then fled.
"The clerk said when he looked outside he saw a green SUV," Haden said. "He's not sure if (the suspect) got in that car."
Haden also said the business had surveillance cameras and turned them over to the detective working the case.
The second robbery took place at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Dreams Smoke Shop at 101 E. Walnut St., Haden said. The suspect entered the store in a hooded sweatshirt, a mask over the mouth and a handgun. The suspect demanded money from the clerk and ran outside, Haden said. Customers were in the store during the robbery, and police were able to interview them.
"There were also other people in the area who saw him run outside," Haden said. "The car seen leaving the area was a gold SUV. We're not sure if he got in it. We're just calling that the suspect vehicle right now."
Another robbery happened at 11 p.m. Wednesday at Bocomo Bay at 1122 Wilkes Blvd. The suspect entered the store wearing a mask, a sweatshirt or jacket and held a handgun. Haden said the suspect demanded money and ran off. The clerk heard a car, but no vehicle was actually seen leaving the location. There were no customers in the store at the time, Haden said.
"With this one, just like the other two, it's entirely possible that it's the same guy," Haden said. "Maybe the first two are related, and some other guy decided to do one (Wednesday). We have to look at it from every possible angle."
The department encourages anyone with information to contact the police department or use Crime Stoppers.
"You can't keep doing these things, if it's the same person, and not get caught," Haden said. "We definitely want to get this person in custody as quickly as we can."
