Man accused of robbing woman with knife in Forest Acres bank parking lot

Forest Acres police arrested a man accused of robbing a woman with a knife in a bank parking lot.

Patrick E. Whitlock, 36, has been charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon, first degree assault and battery, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and kidnapping, according to Chief Gene Sealy.

Whitlock is accused of robbing a woman in the parking lot of Palmetto Citizens Credit Union at 2200 North Beltline Blvd. around 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, Sealy said. Whitlock approached the woman with a knife and demanded money.

The woman grabbed the knife and kicked Whilock, which caused him to fall, Sealy said. Whitlock ran to his car and fled the scene.

Witnesses were able to give police the tag number and a description, Sealy said. A “Be on the Lookout” was sent to other law enforcement, and Whitlock was detained by a Columbia Police officer within the hour.

The woman received a cut to her hand, but was treated and released.