COLUMBIA (WACH) - Richland County deputies demonstrating an armed robbery Friday at a Columbia bank. Sergeant Rafael Gonzalez says they staged the mock robbery to make people aware of how vulnerable they are to robbers.
"They're not paying attention to their surroundings, they're not staying alert, they're on their cell phones, they're fiddling with their keys."
Gonzalez says if you do fall victim to a robbery, stay calm and comply with the attacker. "If it's a cell phone they want, if it's a wallet they want, all those items can be replaced."
If you're a business owner have a plan for safely transferring large sums of cash. "Have a procedure, if you're going to do a money drop does the manager go with you? Do you ask for a police escort?"
Gonzalez says the sheriff's department offers escorts for any kind of money drop. The sheriff's department will also instruct businesses on how to prevent robberies and deal with the aftermath of one. Call 803-576-3181 for more information.
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