West Columbia restaurant robbed by man with knife, police say

A West Columbia restaurant was robbed Monday morning after a man with a knife showed up in the store, according to police.

Employees at the Ruby Tuesday on the 2500 block of Augusta Road were greeted at about 10:30 a.m. by the robber, West Columbia Police Assistant Chief Scott Morrison said.

No one was injured during the robbery.

Though Morrison wasn’t exactly sure how much was taken, he said he believe the suspect made off with some money. He left the restaurant in a vehicle.

Within two hours, police were talking to a person of interest in the case.

Monday afternoon, police arrested William Jody Wingate, 47, of West Columbia. Wingate was charged with armed robbery, kidnapping and possession of a knife during a violent crime, according to a West Columbia police statement.

Wingate was taken to the Lexington County Detention Center.

This story was originally published July 23, 2018 at 12:39 PM.