Columbia Police want your help to find the suspects in a string of robberies on the north side. They all happened in the Saddlebrook-Kennesaw Ridge area since February.
The latest was March 23rd, near the Spencer's Crest condos off Rangeline. A woman was walking towards her car when someone tried to get her attention. She tried to get her card door unlocked, as the man ran toward her. She was able to get the door open, but the suspect reached her and took her duffle bag.
There was a robbery on March 13th on Kennesaw Ridge. A man and woman were in their car, when a man came up to the car, asked for directions and then showed a knife and demanded money.
The first incident happen February 15th at Saddlebrook Place. Another man and woman were sitting in their car when two men came up to the car. One man showed a gun and demanded the woman's purse.
If you have any information about these crimes, please call Columbia Crimestoppers at 875-TIPS.
ROBBERY PREVENTION TIPS:
- Be aware of your surroundings. Walk with a purpose, head up, and looking around.
- Stay in lighted areas at night. The robber doesn't want to be seen.
- Stay with the crowd — there is safety in numbers.
- Women should carry their wallet in their pocket, not their purse.
- If you carry a purse, carry it close to your body, like a football player carries a football. Do not place the strap across your body or over your shoulder. When the robber grabs your purse, you may be pulled along with the robber until the strap breaks and you are injured.
- Don't leave a purse on a counter or in a shopping cart unattended.
- Men should consider carrying two wallets, one of them filled with cut up paper. Most robbers are not going to go through the wallet until they have fled to safety.
- Be cautious when wearing "flashy" jewelry.
- Be conscious of people just "hanging around" anywhere, especially near pay phones, public rest rooms, building entrances and garages.
- Notify the police of strangers who are hanging around your home, apartment or place of business for no apparent reason.
- Take the profit out of robbery by not carrying large sums of money, or credit cards on your person whenever possible.
- Vary your routine — don't do the same thing at exactly the same time every day.
- Be aware of people around you when you are using your automatic teller machine (ATM) card. When possible, use an ATM that is located inside a business such as a grocery store.
- Have your pay, social security, or retirement checks directly deposited into your bank account.
- When you go to the bank, don't flash your cash.
- Lock your car doors when your vehicle is unattended even if you will only be out of it for a "minute." This action may prevent a robber from hiding in your back seat awaiting your return.
- While driving, keep your vehicle doors locked.
- If you are walking and a vehicle is following you, reverse directions or cross the street.
- If someone acts suspiciously, looks at you closely or follows you, head for bright lights and people and call the police.
- Carry a whistle or other noise making device. Use it to call attention to yourself if threatened.
If anyone has any information about the suspect(s) in these robberies or suspicious vehicle in the area, please contact the Columbia Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 875-TIPS to remain anonymous.
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