Arrests made for recent robberies in Columbia

COLUMBIA — Columbia police arrested three suspects in connection with a purse snatching Tuesday, and they think the three were also responsible for two earlier robberies.

Police are also seeking a fourth suspect, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

A 76-year-old woman told police she was approached by two people in the parking lot outside the Walmart at 3001 W. Broadway. A woman took the victim's purse and ran to a car, police said.

The car, which police said matched a description from a previous robbery, drove off.

Officers stopped the car, a Toyota Camry, at the intersection of Fay and Smith streets. They arrested the driver, Brandi L. Myers, 19, of Columbia; and the passenger, Christopher L. Hunt, 17, of Cape Girardeau.

Officers later arrested a third suspect, Preston I. Walden, 17, of Sikeston. Police said that the three identified a fourth suspect, who has not yet been located.

Police said they are investigating the four suspects in connection to an Aug. 19 robbery of a 72-year-old female at the Best Western at 3100 I-70 Drive and the robbery of an 87-year-old woman at Parkade Center parking lot Monday.

Myers was charged with two counts of second-degree robbery, while Hunt and Walden were charged with three counts each of second-degree robbery.