Columbus police officers have arrested two alleged armed robbers and are looking for a third, Assistant Police Chief Shelton confirmed Wednesday.
Justin Hill, 16, of 1326 13th Ave. S., and Ian Gardner, 19, of 1009 Eighth St. S., were both arrested Tuesday at about 9:30 p.m. shortly after they robbed a victim in his home at gunpoint, Shelton said.
Hill and Gardner, along with a third suspect, allegedly broke into the victim’s home at an apartment on Ninth Avenue South Tuesday, threatened him with a gun and took his wallet, which the police recovered. Shelton said the victim knew one of the suspects.
The subjects allegedly fired shots inside the home before they fled the scene, according to a press release from the CPD.
The victim was not injured.
After officers arrived at the scene, they spotted the three suspects coming out of a wooded area near the apartment, Shelton said. When the officers tried to stop them, the suspects turned and ran into the woods. The CPD’s newest K-9 officer, Stanley, caught Hill and Gardner.
Police warned the suspects they would release Stanley if they didn’t stop running, the press release stated. When the suspects didn’t listen, Stanley went after them. The press release said Hill shouted, “Shoot him! Shoot him!” as Stanley approached. Stanley caught Hill and bit him on the leg. Hill was treated for minor injuries at Baptist Memorial Hospital and released.
Police also found two handguns in the woods near where Stanley caught the suspects.
The incident comes days after a suspect armed with a sawed off shotgun threatened three women playing Pokemon Go near Mississippi University for Women’s campus Saturday. Shelton said police are investigating the possibility that Hill, Gardner or the last suspect were involved in that robbery.
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