Columbia man assaulted, robbed by group of men, police say

COLUMBIA — Five men robbed a 19-year-old Columbia man of his backpack near a downtown bus station Tuesday night, Columbia police said.

At about 9:10 p.m., the man was walking south on the sidewalk outside of Wabash Station, 126 N. Tenth St., when a group of five men approached him from behind, Columbia police Sgt. Ken Gregory said. One man hit the victim in the head, knocking him to the ground. Another man took his backpack, which contained a CD player, CDs and a shirt. The group ran east through the bus station parking lot, Gregory said.

The victim got up and ran after the suspects, Gregory said. One of them turned around and swung a knife at the 19-year-old man, Gregory said, cutting his shirt but not injuring him.

The suspects were described as black men with thin builds, ages 16 to 18, ranging in height from 5’6” to 6’1”, Gregory said. Three of the suspects were last seen wearing white T-shirts, one was wearing red pants and a red shirt and the suspect with a knife was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 874-8477.