Charges pending after man was punched and robbed at convenience store

Police responded to a strong arm robbery Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Beltline Boulevard and Rosewood Drive.

A man told investigators that as he was leaving a convenience store, an unknown assailant punched him in the face and stole his merchandise along with a small amount of money, according to the Columbia Police Department.

The man who attacked the victim then got into a car and left the scene, police said.

While officers were still at the scene, the victim saw the assailant’s car and pointed it out to investigators, police said.

Officers made a traffic stop and took the man in the vehicle to the police department for questioning.

Charges are pending, police spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said.