Armed men flee robbery attempt empty-handed

By SAMANTHA CITRON

news@columbiamissourian.com

COLUMBIA — Two men attempted to rob a convenience store clerk early Saturday morning, but left empty-handed, Columbia police said.

At about 4 a.m., a clerk working the overnight shift at Break Time, located at 901 U.S. 63, walked outside to the back of the store, where two men were waiting, according to a news release from the Columbia Police Department. Officers could not be reached for comment Saturday afternoon.

The first suspect knocked the clerk down while the other took out a handgun and each began to threaten the clerk for items of value, according to the release.

Police said the suspects demanded money from the victim, but did not take any. The suspects also demanded the keys to the store, but the clerk told them the door was unlocked, according to the release. Police said the suspects did not go into the store.

The suspects then ran southwest from the store, police said. They took nothing of value from either the store or the victim.

Police said the first suspect was a black man in his twenties, with a split lip, a goatee and spiked hair, according to the release. He was wearing a black sweater and black running pants.

The second suspect was also a black man in his twenties, police said in the release. He was wearing black jeans and a black shirt, a black hooded sweatshirt and a colored bandana.

Anyone with information may call CrimeStoppers, 875-8477.