Three Columbia businesses robbed in three days

Columbia Police are still looking for suspects in three separate business robberies in three days.

This weekend Jimmy John’s, Budget Host Inn, and Denny’s were all targets.

While police were not talking Monday, ABC 17 News went to the three businesses hit and found several similarities.

On Friday, people at the Budget Host Inn awoke to an employee and customer bound with duck tape after two men with guns demanded money.

Columbia police said at least one of the robbers was wearing a mask.

ABC 17 News went to find extra security measures have been put in place since the robbery.

For instance all doors are now locked during the day expect for one, and the woman at the front desk said all of the employees are more aware of their surroundings.

A day after Budget Host Inn was robbed, just before 5:30 a.m. an armed black man about five and a half feet tall went into Denny’s restaurant off Stadium Blvd.

He demanded money which he got, then shot into the ceiling.

A restaurant manager said he was wearing a mask.

Since the shooting Denny’s is making sure there is always at least two employees on duty at all times.

At Jimmy John’s on Sunday night that was not the case.

A suspect pointed a handgun at the only employee and demanded money.

Two other robbers were at Jimmy Johns wearing masks as well, no one was hurt.

“Our heart goes out to the employee. We want to just urge extra caution throughout this holiday season but we are business as usual,” said Dave Hestir the director of marketing for Jimmy John’s.