A trio of men treated themselves to a man”s wallet Saturday when they robbed a contracted painter at gunpoint while he was working in an unoccupied house.
The man was painting alone in the back bedroom of an unsold house on the 500 block of Eighth Street North when three black males wearing black robes, surgical masks and turbans entered the home just after 9:30 p.m., according to Columbus Police Department reports.
The painter initially thought his partner or boss had entered the home until the men appeared and brandished a nickel-plated pistol. They took an undisclosed amount of cash from the painter and forced him into a bathroom before fleeing the house.
A neighbor who saw the three men in the area noted the men seemed too big to be trick-or-treaters.
A similar incident occurred Friday at 7:30 p.m. at 901 11th St. S.
Three black males dressed in black clothes and black ski masks knocked on the home”s door and forced their way inside while pointing a gun at the resident.
When the man told the assailants he didn”t have any money in the home, they went through the house and stole a house phone.
No injuries were reported in either incident. The CPD declined to speculate whether or not the two incidents were related.
The following other incidents were reported by the CPD:
- Officers were dispatched to Baptist Memorial Hospital -Golden Triangle Sunday at 12:56 a.m. in response to an aggravated assault at the Elks Lodge at 918 16th St. N.
The victim reported being attacked by her girlfriend”s ex-boyfriend, who struck her repeatedly in the face and head. The victim will require surgery to recover from her injuries.
- Officers were dispatched to the Trotter Convention Center at 402 Second Ave. N. at 7 p.m. Sunday in reference to burglary of an auto.
Entry was gained through an unlocked door and a cell phone was taken.
- Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Avenue A Sunday at 10:15 a.m. in reference to burglary of an auto.
The burglary occurred Saturday night at the Elks Lodge. Entry was gained by breaking the rear window. Two purses containing an undisclosed amount of cash were stolen.
- Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Constance Lane Sunday at 1 a.m. in reference to burglary of an auto.
No signs of forced entry were discovered. An in-dash CD player was stolen.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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