Masked men rob two homes, police say

COLUMBIA — Three men in ski masks, one armed with a handgun, robbed two homes Wednesday night in Columbia, police said.

The robberies are believed to be related due to the “similar descriptions of the suspects and the manner in which they conducted the robbery,” said Columbia police Capt. Brad Nelson, the investigative commander.

At 9:45 p.m., police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the 4400 block of Ria Street. The victims, a 45-year-old male and a 32-year-old male, told police that three men forced their way into the home and demanded money and drugs, according to a news release. One suspect was armed with a handgun and another with a baseball bat, police said. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money and property.

In a second incident, police responded at 10:09 p.m. to areport of an armed robbery at a home on the 2400 block of Whitegate Drive. The victim, a 22-year old man, told police that three men, one armed with a handgun, forcibly entered the home and demanded money. The suspects left with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

The first suspect is described as a 6-foot-2-inch male with a large build wearing a black or gray hooded sweat shirt, dark colored pants and a black ski mask. He was reported as armed with a handgun.

The second suspect is described as a 5-foot-10 inch male with a slender build wearing dark clothing, a black hat and ski mask, the release stated.

The third suspect is described as a 6-foot male with a slender build wearing dark clothing, a black hat and ski mask, according to the release.

No one had been arrested in connection with the robberies as of Thursday, Nelson said.

Anyone with information should contact the Columbia Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at 874-7506 or CrimeStoppers Web site, 875tips.com.