Investigators with Columbus Police Department are looking for three suspects accused of robbing a shopper in Walmart Thursday.
The victim was shopping in the electronics section just after 9 p.m. when a woman approached him and asked about a video game, according to a press release from CPD. Then another man asked the victim for money. As the victim took out his wallet, the man attacked him.
During the attack, the victim apparently dropped his wallet only to have a second woman pick it up, take money from it and then throw it back on the floor.
The incident lasted more than a minute before the suspects released the victim and left the store, the press release said. The suspects separated momentarily before at least two of them left together, according to what the victim told police. Investigators now believe the first woman asked about the video game as a diversion attempt before the robbery.
The victim was not harmed, the press release said.
Investigators pulled surveillance video of the incident and released it to the media. The man who attacks the victim in the video is a black male in dark pants, a white t-shirt and a backwards black baseball cap. The suspect who takes the money from the wallet is a black female in black pants, a navy collared shirt and glasses. The woman who asked about the video game does not appear in the video, but the press released described her as a black female.
Police Chief Oscar Lewis refused to comment, upon request, on whether investigators are looking into the robbery as a random violent act or if they believe the victim knew any of the suspects. He said doing so could compromise the investigation.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call CPD at 662-244-3552 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
