Police searching for three suspects in armed robbery, attempted robbery

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Police are investigating an armed robbery and an attempted armed robbery that occurred within two hours of each other on Saturday evening.

According to police, a man was jogging in a neighborhood north of State Boulevard around 7:50 p.m. and was returning to his home in the 2000 block of Laverne Avenue when he saw a dark-colored SUV stopped at the intersection of Laverne Avenue and Forest Avenue. The victim told police three men wearing dark clothing were standing next to the SUV.

The victim said one of the men pulled out a gun and pointed it at him. The man said "this is a robbery" but the victim didn't have any money because he was out jogging.

Police said the victim offered the suspects his iPOD but they didn't take it. The victim also threw his house key at the three suspects but they did not pick it up off the ground.

The suspects then demanded the victim knock on a door at the southeast corner of Laverne Avenue and Forest Avenue but the victim refused. According to the victim, after the suspects realized he did not have any money, they got into the vehicle and fled the scene northbound on Laverne Avenue.

Police think the same three suspects were involved in a second crime Saturday night around 9:25 p.m.  It happened near the intersection of Forest Park Boulevard and Delaware Avenue.

According to police, a woman was walking her dog east on Delaware when she noticed a dark-colored SUV without its lights on.

The victim said one of the suspects approached her from behind and asked her to use her cell phone. She told the suspect she didn't have a phone. The suspect then told her to give him her purse.

According to police, the victim put her purse down on the ground. She believed at least one of the suspects had a gun at his side. The victim then fled from the scene.

"This isn't an area that is commonly targeted for that type of a crime, especially twice in the matter of a few hours," said Raquel Foster with the Fort Wayne Police Department.  "But it's a good example of the fact that a crime can occur in any place.  So practicing good safety habits is key."

Police said the victim's purse contained credit cards, cash, gift cards, a passport, driver's license, and check book.

Police say they have leads on who the three suspects are.  Investigations are ongoing.

Officers will be adding extra patrols in the area.  They urge people living around there to call police if they see anything suspicious.