Street vendors robbed 4 times near same Southern California intersection
Police are investigating several armed robberies of street vendors that took place at the same Long Beach intersection over the past four months.
The first of four robberies occurred on March 24, when an unknown suspect approached a vendor near Cedar Avenue and Willow Street, demanded cash and then fled the scene on a bike, the Long Beach Police Department stated in a news release.
Investigators said the same sequence of events happened on May 23, June 18 and on June 25. Preliminary information estimated the robber got away with $3,500 in the June 25 incident.
All of the robberies occurred near the intersection of Cedar and Willow, and took place between 9:57 p.m. and 11:40 p.m., according to police.
“In three of the incidents, the suspect pointed a firearm at the victim,” police stated.
In one of the robberies, the suspect grabbed his waistband as if he was armed.
No description of the suspect was provided.
The Police Department announced it was stepping up patrols in the area to deter any future robbery attempts.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the Police Department at 562-570-7464. Anonymous tips can be submitted through “Crime Stoppers” by calling 800-222-8477.
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