Update: Outstanding, ongoing investigation by Violent Crimes Division and East Precinct detectives resulted in tonight’s arrest of four teens, ages 15, 16, and two 17-year-olds. Two vehicles taken in the carjackings below, a Mercedes C250 and a Hyundai Tucson, were recovered. Interviews are being conducted and charges pending.
Violent Crimes Division and East Precinct detectives believe the following five robbery cases from Monday night and last Wednesday are connected:
- On January 29th at the intersection of Chapel & Eastland Avenues at 7:10 p.m. (attempted);
- On January 29th in the parking lot of Lipstick Lounge, 1400 Woodland Street, at 9:30 p.m.;
- On January 29th in the 1600 block of Forrest Avenue at 9:40 p.m. (carjacking);
- On January 24th outside the post office, 1109 Woodland Street, at 8:30 p.m.;
- On January 24th in the 700 block of N. 2nd Street at 8:45 p.m. (carjacking).
In the first robbery last night, a woman was walking her dog on Chapel Avenue when a gunman got out of an SUV and demanded her belongings at gunpoint. When she told him she had nothing, he got back into the vehicle and left. At 9:30 p.m., a man and woman were standing in the rear parking lot of Lipstick Lounge when the driver and passenger in an SUV got out and robbed them of their cell phones and a wallet at gunpoint. About ten minutes later, a woman was robbed in the 1600 block of Forrest Avenue. She had just returned home when she saw the suspect running towards her armed with a handgun, pointed toward her. He demanded her car keys which she threw at him before she ran away. He fled in her black 2014 Mercedes.
Last Wednesday, a woman had exited the Woodland Street Post Office at 8:30 p.m. and was entering her car when a gunman prevented her from closing the door. He robbed her of her belongings before fleeing in a blue sedan. Approximately 15 minutes later, a woman was sitting in her silver Hyundai Tucson in the 700 block of N. 2nd Street when a gunman opened the door and demanded she get out. Two male suspects got into the SUV followed by a third suspect in a blue sedan. A short time after both robberies, an East Precinct officer located the blue sedan in Cayce Homes. It was a Kia Rio that had been reported stolen. When the officer initiated his emergency equipment, the driver jumped out of the Kia while the car was still in motion. He got into the carjacked Hyundai Tucson which fled the scene. The officer was unable to pursue the Hyundai SUV due to the Kia being in motion. He was able to safely stop the rolling vehicle. Items taken from the victim outside the post office were recovered from the Kia.
The suspects are described as young black men. In the Lipstick Lounge robbery, one is approximately 5’11” tall. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt, adidas-style track pants with white stripes down the side. The second suspect is approximately 5’7” tall. He wore all black clothing and had a short twists hairstyle.
Anyone with information on the persons responsible for these armed robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.