A man sporting a SpongeBob backpack burglarized the Shoe Show on Saturday, taking two women”s sandals and athletic shoes worth a combined $80.
Columbus police were called to the 931 Alabama St. store at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday after receiving reports that someone was walking around inside, said police Public Information Officer Terrie Songer.
When officers arrived, they found the door unlocked and the security system turned off, she said.
The suspect — who was described by police as a black man wearing jeans, a black shirt, and the backpack — had already fled on a bike east toward the Southern Family Food Market, according to nearby security camera footage.
The store reported missing two pairs of sandals, white and gold, worth $15 each, along with a $50 pair of athletic shoes. No cash was reported missing, although a bank bag taken from the store was found behind a vending machine at the nearby market.
Anyone with information about the burglary should make an anonymous call to Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151. Tips that lead to arrests could be worth up to $1,000.
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