Man robbed after giving woman ride home

COLUMBIA — A man was robbed early Sunday morning after giving a woman a ride in his car, Columbia police said.

The victim, a 27-year-old Columbia man, picked up the woman at Rogers and Range Line streets and drove her to 401 N. Ann St. at about 3:45 a.m. at her request, according to a police news release.

Police said the woman asked the driver to wait in the vehicle, and she entered an apartment at the address. As the woman walked back to the car, the driver got out to speak with her. A man then ran out from behind the woman, threatening the driver with a baseball bat.

The man demanded the driver take off his clothes, and the driver took off his boots and jacket before fleeing the scene, police said. The driver was chased for a short distance by the man.

The driver reached a gas station and called police. After returning to the scene with police, the victim said some of the items in his car were missing.

Police say they think the woman in the car and the man with the baseball bat were acting together, Sgt. Ken Gregory said.

The female suspect was described as white, 5-foot-4, 130 pounds with long blond hair and approximately 35 years old. She was last seen wearing a peach-colored button-up shirt, a black jacket and blue jeans.

The male suspect was described as between the ages of 30 and 40 with a stocky build. He was last seen wearing dark clothing and a stocking cap.

Anyone with information in these cases is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 875-8477.