From Cody Telep. Follow him on Twitter @codywt, email him at cody[AT]borderstan.com.

Three robberies last Thursday afternoon (August 2) of victims carrying electronic devices may be related, according to a postby Second District Captain David Sledge. The robberies highlight the importance of remaining vigilant and being aware of your surroundings to avoid being victimized.

How smart are you with your cell phone on the street? (Luis Gomez Photos)

The first robbery occurred at 1:35 pm in the 1100 block of 15th Street NW, just south of the Borderstan coverage area. The victim was sitting on a wall using an iPhone and the suspect grabbed the phone from the victim’s hand.

In the second incident, a suspect approached a victim from behind in the 1400 block of 15th Street NW at about 2:14 pm and grabbed a victim’s wrist in an attempt to take a cell phone. The victim was able to break away from the suspect’s hold and the suspect fled the scene.

The third robbery took place at 16th Street NW and Church Street NW at about 2:20 pm when the suspect grabbed a camera from the victim’s hand after approaching from behind. The suspect then fled the scene in a light-colored older model pickup truck. The victim grabbed onto the tailgate of the truck and suffered minor injuries after being dragged a short distance.

No weapon was used in any of the three incidents. The suspect in each case was described as a black male around 6’0″ tall with a slender build and wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans. The reported age of the suspect varied though from 20 to 40. Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099.

Captain Sledge provided a number of safety tips to avoid becoming the violent of street crime. Many recent Borderstan robberies have involved the theft of smart phones or other electronic devices, and so it is always important to avoid becoming distracted by phone calls or text messages.

Although these Thursday robberies occurred in the afternoon, most robberies occur late at night. It’s best to avoid walking alone at night if possible. If you do walk alone, stay in well-lit areas and avoid taking shortcuts through alleys or dark streets. Try to stay on streets that are heavily traveled. Always walk on the sidewalk and stay close to the curb to avoid bushes, doorways, and other hiding spots. Avoid wearing headphones at night. If you see any suspicious activity or feel unsafe, it’s always best to call 911 to let police investigate.

If you are victimized, it’s always smarter to give up property and not try to fight back. Call police as soon as you can and try to provide as much information as possible about the suspect so that police nearby can try to make an arrest.

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