Cops Search for Robbery Suspects

The suspects behind a violent home invasion and attempted robbery are on the run and it may not be their first. Police describe the suspects as three black men wearing masks. The same suspect description of a dozen other home invasions here in Columbia since August.Wednesday night’s happened downtown at the Brookside Apartments off of 10th just after 8:30 p.m.At this point, detectives on the case have so little information that its hard to even investigate if it’s linked to any of the other home invasions. They told ABC 17 News crews their biggest problem is the victims aren’t telling them much.Witnesses at the Brookside Apartments said it was through an unlocked door that the masked men came in demanding money. At that point, a neighbor called police letting them know their neighbor had just been robbed by three black men wearing masks with guns.ABC 17 News spoke with one of the victims inside the apartment. He said they were held at gun point, but wouldn’t say anything else. A similar problem the Columbia Police Department ran into.”It makes you wonder why aren’t they cooperating, what was going on that they don’t want us to know about?” said Sgt. Joe Bernhard.The lack of cooperation also makes linking this crime to others more difficult.When ABC 17 News asked if detective are looking into any connections Bernhard said, “We don’t have enough information on this to know if there is a connection.”While it’s not clear other home invasions are linked to this recent one, cops are fairly sure students aren’t a target.Nothing was taken from the apartment and no one was hurt. The victim ABC 17 News spoke with said in he is doing his best to cooperate with police. On Wednesday night, police did make one arrest. Officers say the man was questioned and released.