Columbus man steals oxtails in Food Depot robbery, police say

A 58-year-old man allegedly stole oxtails Thursday afternoon during a robbery at the Food Depot on Milgen Road, according to Columbus police.

Harold Lee Elam Jr. was taken into custody on the scene and charged with robbery. He is being held in the Muscogee County Jail for a 2 p.m. Thursday hearing in Columbus Recorder's Court.

Columbus police were called to the Food Depot at 5600 Milgen Road around 5:15 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a shoplifting in progress.

Authorities said Elam was seen stealing a bag of oxtails worth $38 from the store. He allegedly intimidated an official with the business' loss prevention team by stating that he had a gun, but the initial police report indicates that he wasn't armed.

Sarah Robinson: 706-571-8622, @sarahR_92

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 8:33 AM with the headline "Columbus man steals oxtails in Food Depot robbery, police say."