Columbus authorities are investigating a reported armed robbery that happened Tuesday morning at Motel 6 on Highway 45 North.
Columbus Police Department Interim Chief Fred Shelton told The Dispatch the incident reportedly happened about 9 a.m. Shelton said it was not reported to police until approximately 11:30 a.m.
The suspects — a man and a woman — went to Room 159, where a man and a woman were staying. The victims knew the suspects, according to Shelton.
“Once they closed the door both the (suspects) pulled a pistol on them,” Shelton said.
Shelton said the male victim took the handgun from the male suspect and pointed it at him.
“The female (suspect) then said that if he did not drop the gun, she was going to shoot the other person,” Shelton said.
The male victim dropped the gun and told police the suspects took $280 from him.
Shelton said the female victim told officers she heard a knock at the door and, after opening the door, the suspects came in and pointed guns at both victims. He said she reported that the male suspect jumped on her and choked her until she passed out.
“When she came to, she stated that she started to fight the female (suspect) off of her,” Shelton said. “The female said she struck her a few times with the pistol in the face and head and a maid heard the noise and came to open the door.”
Shelton said the female victim reported having $80 taken from her. He noted the male victim did not say anything to officers about the female victim being choked.
Shelton said investigators have a name for the female suspect and are working to locate her.
He said both victims refused medical treatment.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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