Series of armed robberies target apartment complexes

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne Police Department has recently responded to a series of armed robberies in apartment complexes and is reminding residents to remain aware of surroundings and to report anything suspicious.

Timeline: Apartment robberies and attempts

"It's alarming to us," Raquel Foster, the public information officer for FWPD, said Thursday night.  "We aren't seeing them in one part of the city, but we do believe they are related in some way."

According to an FWPD press release, six armed robberies happened within 24 hours:

Police reported two more armed home invasions on Thursday night.

January 7, 2013, 10:58 p.m. - 5100 block of Stonehedge Blvd, Canterbury Apartments: A man and woman reported being approached by two men at the entrance of the apartment building. Both men had guns and took the victims' iPhones, purse, wallet, credit cards, and cash.  No injuries were reported at the scene.

January 8, 2013, 12:00 a.m. – 2000 block of Ardmore Ave., Autumn Creek Apartment Complex: A woman told police two men walked into the apartment building with her, one brandishing a gun. The two men forced her into her apartment. One man held a gun on the woman while the other searched the apartment. A wallet with credit cards and cash, and a notebook computer were reported stolen.  No injuries were reported at the scene.

January 8, 2013, 9:18 p.m. – 5400 block of N. Clinton St., Gardenview Apartments: A man said he was approached by two men with guns at his car in the parking lot. They robbed him of  his iPhone, wallet, and keys. No injuries were reported at the scene.

January 8, 2013, 9:34 p.m. – 5400 block of N. Clinton St., Gardenview Apartments: A woman said one man with a gun approached her at her car and robbed her of her purse that contained her wallet, credit cards, cash, and other personal items. No injuries were reported at the scene.

January 8, 2013, 8:24 p.m. – 6400 block of Covington Rd., Colony Bay Apartments: A woman said two men with guns approached her as she was checking for mail at the mailbox. Her purse and cell phone were taken.  No injuries were reported at the scene.

January 8, 2013, 9:05 pm – 2100 block of Ardmore Ave., Autumn Creek Apartment Complex: A man said he was forced into his house at gunpoint by two men. Various household items were taken. No injuries were reported at the scene.

"It's possible we could see a similar incident, and we don't want that," Foster said.  "We want to alert the apartment complex residents, encourage them to be vigilant, park in well lit areas and do not hesitate to call in any suspicious activity."

As of Thursday evening, Foster's department does not have a vehicle description of the suspects. 

"I will tell you that your apartment complexes, unfortunately, are an ideal location for that type of crime," Foster said.  "You have a lot of people walking in and out, arriving home or leaving.  In most of our incidents, the victims are by themselves.

"I don't know much about the safety measure the apartment complexes have in place, but that doesn't seem to stop our perpetrators because they are following their victims into the apartment building, or targeting them before they even arrive to the apartment building," Foster said.

Police encourage people to remain aware of their surroundings, and to report anything suspicious to Fort Wayne Police at (260) 427-1201 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 237-STOP [7867].