Columbia police investigate Break Time robbery

Saturday, police are investigating a robbery at a convenience store in northeast Columbia after a man takes money and runs away.

Columbia police responded the Break Time convenience store on Paris Road and Vandiver Drive around 10:20 Friday night for a report of a robbery.

Police said the clerk came from the back of the store to find a white man near the front counter wearing dark clothing and a covering over his head. The man demanded money from the clerk. Police said after the clerk gave him an undisclosed amount of money from the drawer, the man ran away to the south of the business. Police said there were no injuries.

Officers used a K-9 unit, but could not find the suspect. The investigation is ongoing.

This is the third reported robbery at a gas station in Columbia in the last week and a half. On March 25, police said a suspect went into the Petro Mart on Stadium Boulevard and Bernadette Drive with a knife, took money and got away. No arrests were made. Then three days later, there was a report of a robbery at the Break Time on North Stadium Boulevard. Police would not give any details other than officers were dispatched there for a robbery and the investigation is still open.

If you have any information, police ask that you call the Columbia Police Department or CrimeStoppers at (573)875-TIPS to remain anonymous.