Metropolitan police are warning residents of McLean Gardens in upper Northwest to watch for groups of adolescents who attempt to rob lone pedestrians of their portable electronics.
Second District Police Cmdr. Andrew Solberg issued the caution Wednesday via a listserv posting. Three robberies have been reported since Monday on or near 39th Street NW east of American University, Solberg said, and all seem to be related by suspect, victim and location.
The first incident occurred Monday at 6:15 p.m., when a group of four or five black youth ages 13-18 robbed a man jogging alone at 39th Street near Rodman Street. They knocked him to the ground and stole his iPod.
At 7 p.m. Tuesday, three black youth, ages 15-16, approached a man walking alone on Wisconsin Avenue near Fort Drive. One teenager produced a knife and robbed the man of his iPod. Three hours later, a trio who fit the same description as the 7 p.m. robbery tried but failed to steal a BlackBerry from a man walking alone in the 4200 block of 39th Street.
Police have no leads yet in any ofthe cases.
Solberg warned all residents in the area of 39th Street and the Wisconsin Avenue corridor from Porter Street to Fort Drive or Yuma Street to “please be especially alert to your surroundings and especially be aware of groups of young men in this age group.”
“If possible, walk with a friend or neighbor, and we recommend that in any instance of a robbery attempt you surrender your possessions without resisting in any way,” he said. “No item you own is worth risking injury for.”
Women targeted in other series of robberies
Metropolitan police are asking women in Georgetown to walk in groups after three recent robberies, two armed, of women walking unaccompanied.
The first incident occurred at 7 p.m. April 11, when a man with a gun robbed a woman walking near 31st and Q streets of her purse. At 9:10 p.m. April 12, a man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt robbed a woman walking home alone at 27th and N streets. And at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, an armed man robbed a woman near 29th and N streets. He demanded her purse while holding a gun at her side.
“There appears to be a man, or more than one, who is targeting women as they walk alone in the area around 27th to 31st streets, from N to Q streets, between 7 and 9:15 p.m.,” Second District Metropolitan Police Cmdr. Andrew Solberg wrote in an e-mail to residents.
The commander recommended that women walk with a friend or neighbor in the evening hours until an arrest is made. Police also are adding officers to the area.
Anyone with information on the cases should call 202-730-1903. – Michael Neibauer
