Three men robbed while preparing to deliver newspapers

COLUMBIA — Two armed men robbed three men preparing to deliver newspapers in north Columbia early this morning, according to a news release from the Columbia Police Department.

The two armed men made the victims — aged 43, 51 and 19 — lie on the ground and demanded cash from them at 3100 Brown Station Road at about 2 a.m., according to the news release.

One man kicked the 43-year-old in the face, according to a news release. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for facial fractures, and as of Wednesday morning was in stable condition, according to the release.

The armed men escaped with cash and were last seen running along East Brown Station Road, according to police.

Both suspects are black males that look to be in their early 20s. The first was described as 6 feet tall, 220 pounds and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a dark-colored bandana across his face. The second suspect was described as 5 feet 9 inches tall with an athletic build and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a pink bandana across his face.

Anyone with information is asked to submit the tip on the CrimeStoppers Web site, 875tips.com.