Man charged in connection to two armed robberies in Columbia
A man is now charged for his alleged role in two armed home invasions in Columbia earlier this month.
Ashontai Wallace is believed to be one of three men who allegedly broke into two homes on May 9, according to a probable cause statement.
The first robbery occurred around 2 a.m., according to court documents. The victims reportedly told police three men broke into their home armed with guns. The men allegedly had two victims sit in the bathtub and tied their hands with zip ties. They then forced a third victim out of bed and started demanding to know where the safe was, documents said. The victim was hit in the head and face multiple times.
According to court documents, the victim suffered a seizure during the assault. Authorities said the suspects made off with an AR rifle and a handgun.
The second armed robbery happened a few hours later just around 4:40 a.m. Court documents said once again, the victims had their hands tied with zip ties. In this incident, the suspects allegedly stole money, jewelry, clothing, food and car keys.
On May 14, Columbia police said an investigator from Huntsville, Alabama, called them informing them authorities found items stolen in the two robberies. Huntville authorities also said they found a bag of zip-ties.
Authorities in Alabama arrested a man identified as Ashontai Wallace.
