String of robberies hit Columbia businesses

A recent rash of five robberies and a burglary this week all in the area of Rangeline Street and Business Loop 70 East have store owners there on high alert.

Petromart, Passions, and Jenkins Produce Stand were all robbed, while Exclusive Clothing was burglarized. The produce stand was robbed twice this week.

The employees at those businesses believe they were all robbed by the same man: a light-skinned black male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 135 pounds, about 20-30 years old.

They also believe this man cased their businesses before robbing it, and Passions Adult Shop has surveillance footage showing what they believe is the same man coming in the night before he robbed them, and then the night of the robbery.

The Break Time at Highway 63 and Conley Road was also robbed Wednesday morning, with a robber description similar to that of the other robberies.

Police have not yet confirmed if the robberies are related. They said they will try to step up patrols in this area.