Coughing Suspect Duct Tapes Employees

COLUMBUS, Ohio – CPD released surveillance video of a recent store robbery in hopes someone can identify the suspect.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

The robbery happened at about 7:45 p.m. Monday, April 13, at the Family Dollar Store at 909 S. James Rd., according to CPD. 

A male entered the store and began selecting several items. 

He covered the lower portion of his face with a painter’s mask and was coughing loudly. The man told the manager he suffered from tuberculosis as an explanation for the mask. 

After several minutes, the man pulled out a handgun and pushed it into the manager’s back, according to a police report.

The suspect ordered the manager to the backroom. He took the store keys and demanded the code for the safe, police said.

The manager complied.

The suspect bound the manager’s hands and feet with duct tape, the report said.

The suspect went back to the front of the store and allegedly ordered a female clerk to empty the cash drawers. 

After he had the cash, he allegedly led the female clerk to the backroom where he also bound her.

CPD said the suspect decided not to go after the safe contents and fled the store.

The armed suspect was described as a black male with short hair. He is about 30 to 35 years old, is 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds.

He was wearing sunglasses; a brown, hooded jacket; blue jeans with a red stripe across the thigh and brown work boots.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity was asked to call CPD at 614-645-4665.

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail .
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video