Second man arrested in string of Columbia robberies

Police confirmed Friday a 16-year-old is the second man arrested for a recent string of armed robberies in Columbia.

The teenager was taken into custody around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, accused of playing a role in four of the five hold-ups with Jafari Boss, 31, who is already charged for the crime spree.

Both of the men live on Northland Drive.

Court documents said Boss is dating the mother of the teenage suspect.

They’re accused of working together on all the robberies that started more than two weeks ago, except for the hold-up at Denny’s.

Speedy Mart, Budget Host Inn, We B Smokin’, and China Moon restaurant were all robbed within 10 days of each other.

The teen was taken into custody on three counts of kidnapping and four counts of first degree robbery.

Boss was arrested in the 900 block of Bernadette Drive following a shooting Wednesday night around 11 in the 1500 block of I-70 Drive Southwest near Hunt Avenue, just east of the mall. Officers claim a man in a mask holding a gun tried assaulting a victim. One shot was fired, and police found one shell casing in the area.

Boss was charged Thursday evening with five counts of first-degree robbery, five counts of armed criminal action, and three counts of kidnapping.

Boss was also convicted of robbery and assault in 2011. He was sentenced to seven years in prison but was only released on parole after two and a half.

Police said there could also be a third suspect in the robberies.