Police investigate string of robberies
By KATE SCHOTT kschott@daily-chronicle.com
DeKALB – DeKalb Police are asking for the community's help as they investigate five robberies that have happened since Friday in the city.
Two of the robberies happened early Friday morning, with the third later that night. The last two happened early Sunday morning. The abnormally warm weather this weekend may have played a role in the robberies, DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler said.
Police aren't sure if all five are related, Spangler said, noting that the descriptions of the perpetrators varied.
"It's pretty traumatic for victims to be robbed," Spangler said. "Getting a good description may not be the most pressing thing on their mind."
The circumstances varied as well. A handgun was used in at least one robbery, while a stick was used in another. The victim was a college student in all but one of the cases, Spangler said.
Police do suspect the pair that happened Sunday may be related, Spangler said.
A man told police that he had been smoking in the parking lot behind his apartment building in the 900 block of West Hillcrest Drive when two men approached him just before 3 a.m. One of the men punched him and knocked him to the ground. The two men went through his pockets and took items before leaving the area on foot, police said.
The victim had minor injuries that did not require medical attention, according to police. One of the suspects was described as a black male approximately 21-25 years old, 6 feet, 2 inches to 6 feet, 5 inces tall and wearing a dark winter jacket. The other was described as a black male.
About the same time, two men told police they were smoking behind their residence in the 1000 block of West Hillcrest Drive when three men approached them. The three men began talking to the pair, and then one of the suspects showed a handgun and demanded property, police said.
The three men did not get anything and left on foot, police said. All three suspects were described as black males in their early 20s, roughly 5-foot-10 to 6-foot tall and weighing 180-200 pounds, according to police. One had short hair and was wearing a grayish/white hooded sweatshirt. The second man had short hair and was wearing all black, and the third man was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.
The three robberies that happened Friday had fewer similarities. A news release from police described the incidents as follows:
• A male was walking in the 1000 block of West Hillcrest Drive about 1 a.m. Friday when he was approached by three men who said that they "had what he wanted." The victim said he did not want anything and walked away. The three men followed him, slapped at his hand and picked up property that fell out of his hand before leaving.
One of the suspects was described as a black male, 5-foot-9 and about 170 pounds who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The second suspect was a white male, 5-foot-10 and about 190 pounds who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black cap. The third suspect was a white male, 6-foot-2 and about 200 pounds wearing a white sweatshirt.
• A man parked his car in the 900 block of Ridge Drive around 1:30 a.m. Friday and was walking to his apartment building when he was struck in the face and knocked to the ground. The suspect demanded property, but the man yelled and charged at the suspect, who fled south. The victim was not injured. The suspect was a black male, 5-foot-10 and wearing a black sweat shirt.
• A man was approached about 7:35 p.m. Friday while in the 900 block of Edgebrook Lane by two men who asked him for the time. As he leaned into his vehicle to check, he was struck in the back of the head with a stick. The two men took his wallet from his pocket while the victim was on the ground. The victim was taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
One suspect is a black male, 5-foot-8 wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark blue jeans and black gym shoes, while the other was described as a black male wearing dark clothing.
Spangler warned residents to be aware of their surroundings if they are walking alone and to not engage with strangers they may encounter. He advised residents to travel in groups, and noted that those who are intoxicated may become easy targets for would-be robbers.
"That's what a lot of these people look for, intoxicated students," Spangler said.
Help Out
Anyone with information about any of the robberies that occurred last weekend is asked to call DeKalb Police at 815-748-8400 or DeKalb County Crime Stoppers at 815-895-3272.
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