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% replaces any number of letters (la% - lake, lamp)_ replaces one letter (ca_ - car, cat)

Crossword clues for Columbo, for one:

BADGE: Columbo carries one
DET: Columbo, for one: Abbr.
TEC: Columbo, for one
COP: Columbo, for one
CROONER: Columbo was one
CROONER: Russ Columbo was one
PEUGEOT: Columbo's jalopy, for one