Rash of armed robberies under investigation in Canton, Federal Hill areas
BALTIMORE -- A string of pre-dawn armed street robberies and carjackings by a group of people is under investigation by Baltimore Police.
The department confirmed these incidents happened on Friday between 5:20 a.m. and 7 a.m. in neighborhoods, including Canton and communities within the South Baltimore Peninsula.
In each separate incident, the victims described there being five to ten suspects involved and at least one was armed, according to police.
A female victim, who requested to remain anonymous, said she was loading up her Toyota with belongings for an event later that evening when a car came to a screeching halt near Canton Square.
"Five, six, seven, eight guys got out and started screaming at me, 'Give us everything! Give us everything! Give us everything,' and one had a gun to my head," the victim explained.
The victim reported being robbed of her cell phone and carjacked, then was punched in the face before the suspects fled the area.
"The entire time, I was screaming for help at the top of my lungs," the victim said.
While neighbors offered help, the suspects continued their toll blocks away near the intersection of Hudson Street and South Kenwood Avenue
"'Empty your pockets; empty your pockets,' while they were kicking me and punching me," described a male victim of an attempted robbery.
The victim in this incident reported the driver of one of the getaway cars hit another vehicle, which caused the group to run from the scene empty-handed.
"If the one didn't hit the car who knows what would have happened," he said. "I got a couple bumps on my head and then my head's a little busted open."
City councilman, Eric Costello, made a post on social media to share additional information about the incidents, some of which fall under his district.
He stated although the victims in those cases had been struck in the face, no serious injuries had been reported.
"Earlier this morning, there were at least three carjackings committed in the Southeastern District which were believed to have been committed by the same group. At least two of these vehicles have been recovered in the Western District," Costello wrote.
The Baltimore Police Department confirmed to WJZ that officers responded to the following locations for reports of armed robberies, attempted armed robberies or carjackings believed to be carried out by the same group:
1000 South Highland St.
900 South Dean St.
300 East Hamburg St.
300 Warren Ave.
900 Hamburg St.
1000 South Linwood Ave.
The police department is requesting additional information and surveillance video for these cases.
"At the end of the day, your car, your phone, your money it's all just things and you need to value your life over that," the female victim said.
