Police looking for suspect in Columbia armed robbery

Columbia Police responded to an armed robbery at a convenience store on Providence Road Tuesday night.

Officers determined a man armed with a gun came into the store at 200 north Providence Road and demanded money from the clerk.

The suspect ran from the store with an unknown amount of money heading east toward Avis car rental.

The clerk was not injured and ran after the suspect, but lost him behind Avis.

Officers followed tracks in the snow to a running vehicle in the Columbia Tribune parking lot.

Officers closed off Ash Street and waited for the owner of the car to come out, but determined he was not a part of the robbery.

The suspect is described as a black man in his early 20s, about 5’8″ to 5’9″, skinny, and last seen wearing dark clothes.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 875-TIPS.