Elk Grove Police Beef Up Patrols, Deploy Mobile Cameras After Recent Robberies
ELK GROVE (CBS13) – Police in Elk Grove say the closer we get to the holidays, the more shoppers come out – and when there are more shoppers, they turn into easy targets for thieves.
"There's always concern for public safety," said Officer Chris Trim with the Elk Grove Police Department.
Especially after what happened Monday morning near the intersection of Laguna and Stockton Boulevards.
A woman walking through a Panda Express parking lot says a car speed up, cut her off and an armed suspect jumped out.
"The passenger exits and he's wearing a ski mask and dark clothing. He's armed with a hand gun," Trim said.
Taking her purse, he then hoped back in the waiting car and speed away.
"I really can't get into the mind of somebody that would do that," said Elk Grove resident Faith Muhammad.
Police say this is forth armed robbery is less than a week in Elk Grove. The other three took place last weekend at businesses near the intersection of Laguna and Franklin Boulevards.
Investigators say those three are connected; the latest one doesn't appear to be connected.
"It's scary kind of because I have kids," said Elk Grove resident Kendra Bollik.
Now Elk Grove police tell CBS13 they're concerned residents could see more of these type brazen robberies in the coming weeks.
"Unfortunately, as we get closer to the holidays these type crimes of opportunities will certainly increase," Trim said.
To combat those crimes, Elk Grove police say they're beefing up patrols.
They've already deployed mobile police security cameras in certain shopping areas.
"But we do have a holiday patrol that kicks off at the end of the month where we have additional officers on patrol in those areas to check on shoppers to make sure they enjoy their shopping experience," Trim said.