Two robberies reported within 5 hours in Columbia

Columbia police responded to a call about a robbery at the Auto Zone on Business Loop shortly before 10 p.m. Friday, then responded to a call about a robbery at a Break Time on East Broadway around 2 a.m. Saturday.

Police said that during the first incident, a man went into Auto Zone and approached an employee at the register, then threatened the employee and demanded money.

The man retrieved an undisclosed amount of money from the employee and fled the scene.

Police said the robber is a light-skinned black man, about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build.

A similar incident occurred at the Break Time on East Broadway.

Police said a man walked into the convenience store, went up the employee at the register, and demanded money.

The man fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.

Police said the robber is a black man, about 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium build.

For both robberies, police brought a K-9 unit, but neither men were located.

Both incidents are under investigation.