Lawncrest cell phone robbery pattern

Police in the 2nd District have made four arrests so far in the 15 robberies that have occurred in the last 30 days in PSA 2.

Lt. Francis Staab, new to the Police Service Area, shared the information Tuesday night with members of the Lawncrest Community Association. PSA 2 is bound roughly by Roosevelt Boulevard and the district’s western boundary between Martins Mill Road and — at varying points — Devereaux Street, Magee Avenue and Rhawn Street to the north.

More crime stats

Numbers from the last 30 days in 2nd District PSA2

239 pedestrian stops; 4 arrests 473 vehicle investigations 21 burglaries; 1 arrest

There wasn’t much of a pattern in the robberies, except that the suspects were two or three black men ages 18 to 25 stealing cell phones. In many instances, victims had their cell phones out and were using them while doing something else.

The suspect description matches that of a shooting that took place Tuesday morning on the 5900-block of Tabor Avenue. Around 1:30 a.m., two suspects shot a man and stole his phone as he sat on his porch. The victim said he’d gone outside to smoke a cigarette when the suspects approached to rob him.

District Community Relations Officer Dianne Murphy, upon hearing Lawncrest residents’ concern about the shooting, encouraged them to call 911 about suspicious activity.

“Call no matter what,” she said. “Don’t think it’s too little.”

 

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