Tourist-Friendly Areas Target Of Armed Robbery String
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Police say a masked man armed with a gun is robbing women in several popular southeast Baltimore neighborhoods. The manhunt is on to find their prime suspect. Monique Griego has more on the investigation.
Police say the suspect has targeted women walking in Canton, and while they're not sure he's linked to all the attacks, they want to catch him. They hope by releasing his picture, he'll become the most famous man in Baltimore.
Police say 26-year-old Jerry Hercum may be the man behind the mask in a string of armed robberies targeting women in southeast Baltimore.
"We're pulling out all the stops. We want Mr. Hercum to be famous and we want him caught immediately," said Anthony Guglielmi.
Since July 4, police say women in Canton, Fells Point and Butcher's Hill have been robbed by an armed suspect who sometimes wears a mask.
"I heard that mainly at night young women were being attacked and robbed," said Desiree Jackson.
Jackson couldn't believe one of the attacks happened near the Canton Market, a place she frequently walks to alone.
"I thought this was a pretty safe area. I didn't know anything like that would happen around here," said Jackson.
Investigators say Hercum is wanted in connection with two of the attacks in which groups of women were robbed.
"Yeah, I guess that's kind of scarier. You kind of think that you have security in numbers, so I guess they're kind of fearless right now," said Jennifer Tuidings.
Tuidings owns the Patterson Perk Coffee Shop, which is just across the street from where police say an attack happened Saturday, on Patterson Park Avenue.
In the most recent attack, the armed suspect confronted a family, made them lie down on the ground, then robbed them of their purses, credit cards and cell phones.
Police are increasing manpower in the area, but Tuidings says she's also going to do her part for her customers.
"I'll just make sure everyone's aware and that they just watch themselves at night," she said.
Police say they don't know if all the attacks are related but say there are similarities.
If you know the whereabouts of Jerry Hercum, call Baltimore City police.
