Knife-wielding man attacks woman in Happy Store robbery

A Happy Store employee was opening up the business early Thursday when a knife-wielding man attacked her and robbed the business of $90 cash, according to a Columbus police report.

Authorities said the woman, whose head was bloody and swollen, was treated on the scene and released.

An officer was called to the 2047 Cusseta Road store around 6:55 a.m. Thursday to investigate the armed robbery, which happened about five minutes earlier.

He spoke to an employee on the scene who said she was opening the store when an unknown Hispanic man carrying a large hunting knife went inside the business and behind the counter. He was wearing a white ski mask that covered his face, a dark brown hoodie and black pants, she noted.

She said the man told her that it was a robbery and demanded all of the business’ money. The thief then stuck her on the forehead with the butt of the knife, causing her head to bleed and swell, according to the report.

She said she was giving him $90 from the cash register when she recognized his voice. The woman asked him for his name, and he responded “Colby” before fleeing through the front door and heading in an unknown direction, she told the officer.

Police sent out a BOLO over the radio, and a witness said they saw an unknown man running towards the back of Elizabeth Canty Apartments at 2000 Cusseta Road.

Officials searched the area but weren’t able to locate the offender, who has yet to be identified.

This story was originally published March 4, 2016 at 8:46 AM with the headline "Knife-wielding man attacks woman in Happy Store robbery."