Suspect sought in armed robbery at hotel
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Richland County sheriff's deputies are actively investigating an armed robbery that took place at a Two Notch hotel Wednesday night.
Officials say an unidentified male suspect entered the Econolodge at 7700 Two Notch Road just before 8:00pm.
Hotel clerk Roy Dsouaza is very upset having been on the receiving end of the robbery.
"I'm sure he's gonna be caught for what he did," said Dsouaza.
Initially, Dsouaza thought the suspect was a guest. "He was really friendly to me as if he's staying here," he said.
But the suspect's friendly demeanor changed when he pulled out a gun and demanded cash.
"What if he would've pulled the trigger on me? For $300, I didn't want to risk my life so I said ok," said Dsouaza.
Roy did what he was told. Lobby cameras caught the robber stealing cash from the register and then taking off.
A similar robbery took place last week at the Microtel hotel just 300 feet away.
Security video shows the man entering the hotel, then leaping over the front desk. Investigators are trying to determine if the same man is connected to both robberies.
"What he's doing is not good example for anybody," said Dsouaza.
Investigators are interviewing witnesses and pursuing leads in an attempt to identify a suspect.
If you have any information about this case, you are asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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