Man accused of grabbing restaurant cash, knocking down elderly customer

A Columbus man is being accused of stealing money from a restaurant cash register and then knocking an elderly woman down as he fled the scene.

Police say the incident happened around 1 p.m. Friday afternoon at a restaurant in the 3100 block of Jonathan Moore Pike. 29-year-old Justin A. James allegedly asked a cashier for change, and then grabbed money from the till. As he ran from the restaurant, an 87-year-old woman was knocked to the ground, injuring her wrist and cutting her face.

Police found James Friday night and he was arrested in a vehicle on Chestnut Street with the assistance of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department.

He is facing charges of strong-arm robbery and battery and was wanted on two outstanding warrants.