Two injured during robbery in central Columbia
Two robbers broke into a home overnight on Friday, stealing items and attacking the two people inside.
Columbia police said the home invasion in the 900 block of Hope Place happened just after midnight.
Public information officer Latisha Stroer said two men armed with guns broke into the house and assaulted a 24-year-old man and 20-year-old woman in the home. The robbers stole “an unknown amount of property,” Stroer wrote, and ran from the scene before officers arrived.
An ambulance took the two victims to the hospital, according to Stroer.
The home is a block away from West Middle School.
Neighbors in the area told ABC17 News they were shocked by the “terrible” news. Some knew about the home invasion and some didn’t. Apparently the victims are a couple who just starting renting the home at the beginning of the summer.
One woman, who didn’t want to be identified, said most of the homes on the block are buyers and so she hasn’t gotten a chance to know the new renter couple yet but she said she makes it a point to get to know everyone because they have to keep an eye on each other.
“It is a neighborhood watch because you’re protecting your property,” she said. “That’s how we do it. Get to know your neighbors, get to know their patterns.”
The family of the victims said they are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest of one or both of the suspects. Anyone with that information can call Crimestoppers to remain anonymous at 875-TIPS.
