Check-cashing center robbed Thursday morning, no one injured

COLUMBIA — Police are investigating the robbery of a check-cashing store late Thursday morning in south Columbia.

Police officers responded to a call at 11:10 a.m. of an armed robbery at Cash Zone, 1305 Grindstone Parkway, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

An employee told police that an individual had entered the business, displayed a handgun and demanded money from the cash drawer.

The clerk handed over some cash and was told to go into a back restroom, the release said. The individual then fled the scene on foot. The release did not say how much cash was taken.

The suspect was described as a white male, mid-20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds. The clerk said the suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a scarf covering the lower part of his face, the release said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 875-8477. Police said tipsters do not have to give their names and are eligible for a reward up to $1,500.