Police investigating separate weekend theft incidents in north Columbia

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia Police responded after two reports of theft blocks apart Saturday morning.

Officials say police responded at 8:30 a.m. to a report of theft after a 75-year-old woman returns home in the 3700 block of Woodland Drive after walking her dog. The woman told police "several valuables were missing."

Before leaving her home, the victim reported seeing three men walking in the area. A neighbor was able to confirm seeing the three men leaving the residence around the time of the reported burglary, police say. There were no reported injuries during this incident.

While officers were responding to this incident, Boone County Joint Communications received information that a robbery had occurred at 8:42 a.m. a block away on the 3900 block of Pine View Drive.

The 73-year-old victim reported being robbed while sitting in his work truck. The victim says the robber appeared at the driver side window and brandished a gun. Shortly afterward a second man appeared at the passenger window and made further demands for the victim to comply. The suspects took several valuables from the victim’s vehicle before leaving, police said. There were no reports of injuries during this incident. A third suspect was seen walking with the others.

Columbia Police report there is no evidence to connect these two incidents.

Both cases should be considered open/active and have been forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division, police said.