Police Investigating Similar Armed Robberies In Boston, Brookline, Cambridge
BOSTON (CBS) -- Police in Boston, Cambridge and Brookline are investigating whether there are any connections between five armed robberies that occurred in about an hour early Friday morning.
Backpacks, cellphones, and headphones were some of the easy targets as armed robbers hit streets that seemed a little out of the way.
"It's scary to know people are getting harassed and violated, that's definitely a problem," said Fara Kivraj as she walked on St. Paul Street in Brookline. That's where the first crime was reported at the intersection of Dummer St.
Police say at 2:15 a.m. two victims on skateboards were suddenly approached by a dark sedan. Two suspects jumped out showing weapons and police say one victim was hit in the head with a handgun at least two to three times causing him to fall to the ground.
A cellphone, wallet with debit and credit cards and a black backpack were taken.
One of the victims said one suspect was covering their face with a black bandana, the other with a red bandana.
The victims took a taxi to Beth Israel to be checked out and some of their stolen items were later found, discarded on nearby streets.
"When weapons are involved something can escalate to the next level. Hopefully whoever is responsible will be caught soon," said Taylor Stockton who lives in the Back Bay, the scene of the next robbery. It was the same description of a crime in an alleyway off Beacon Street in Boston.
Police say a victim was hit in the head and robbed by suspects in a similar vehicle. A third suspect was also seen behind the wheel.
A half hour later, an Allston neighborhood was targeted at Farrington and Highgate.
"There does't seem to be super heavy police presence in this area," said Katelin Roche. "A lot of people are not too conscious about when they're walking while talking on their cellphones and not paying attention."
Police are investigating whether it's the same suspects who moved on to Cambridge.
Two women walking on Franklin Street noticed a car going the wrong way down the one way street. That's when two suspects jumped out showing weapons, stealing their cellphones and purses.
Minutes later on a quiet side street off Harvard Square, another victim was ordered to the ground and robbed.
Cambridge police say at least one thousand dollars was taken in these robberies, and believe they are crimes of opportunity carried out in a matter of minutes.
"If you're out late, you have to be extra careful because it does get quiet around here," said David Tanklefsky of Cambridge.