COLUMBIA — A Columbia man was held up at knife point by a group of boys early Friday morning.
The man was walking near the intersection of Fifth Street and Park Avenue when he was approached from behind by several boys and ordered to the ground at knife point.
The man told police he tried to fight off his assailants, but they fled with $300 in cash, his cell phone and wallet. The man refused medical attention.
Police said the three to five assailants were all boys between the ages of 15 and 17. One suspect was reported to have dreadlocks and was wearing a white, oversized T-shirt.
Detective Jeff Westbrook said there are similarities between this incident and a rash of robberies in Columbia since July 30, but investigators do not know the incident is related.
In the previous robberies, suspect descriptions include a group of men ranging from three to five individuals. Four of the other incidents involved male victims walking alone.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 875-TIPS or submit them at 875tips.com.