Columbia police arrested two men Wednesday night after the men robbed a local Walmart and fled the scene.
Officers were dispatched at 9:12 p.m. to the robbery in progress at 415 Conley Road in northern Columbia. Four officers responded to the incident, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Latisha Stroer said in an email.
Video surveillance showed Andre Ford, 37, and Lorenzo Wright, 32, entering Walmart together at 8:42 p.m.
“The investigation revealed loss prevention officers observed Ford putting on a black jacket and pulling off the tags,” a CPD news release stated. “Loss prevention officers observed Ford select a watch, chew or bite on the package to get it open and place the watch in his pants pocket.”
Loss prevention officers saw Ford choose a Black & Decker tool kit and razor bales, both of which he tried to fraudulently return at the service desk.
Ford left the store without paying for merchandise as officers attempted to stop him. He fled on foot toward an IHOP restaurant.
The loss prevention officers investigated and observed Wright going to the tool aisle, opening a pack of razor blades and attempting to open a bottle of cologne.
Officers arrested Ford in the parking lot of the IHOP restaurant. Wright was taken into custody at the Break Time convenience store located at 2709 E. Broadway, where he admitted his involvement in the incident.
Ford was arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery with a to-be-set bond. Wright had a felony warrant for a parole violation and was charged with his third offense of theft with a bond of $4,500.