Police are looking for the suspects who committed three armed robberies on and near the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Officers say two of the three robberies were done by the pair of men. Surveillance cameras got them as they walked into a convenience store near the medical center.
Police say the duo’s thirst for crime led them to a parking lot on the outskirts of campus at 39th and Springfield around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
“They were yelling at the top of their lungs just talking about beating somebody up or something,” Michael Dickerson, who lives near where the robbery happened, said.
Police say two women - a medical student and an employee - were robbed at gunpoint as they were getting out of their cars.
“Right before I fell back asleep I hear police sirens coming down the street,” Dickerson said.
As police were processing the scene at 39th and Springfield, another call came in. At 6 a.m. investigators said another person was held up with a box cutter in the designated smoking area next to the hospital’s garage. The suspect in this case is a short Hispanic boy around 14 to 16 years old. Police said this robbery is believed to not be related to the other ones.
“It’s kind of nerve-wracking to know that I come out to smoke a cigarette at those weird hours when my daughter is sleeping, so it’s kind of - that’s scary,” Chasity Foster, a patient, said.
Staff and students received text and email notifications of the robberies, but visitors were caught off-guard.
“I haven’t seen a whole lot of security when I’m out here and I think there should be they have us in a little corner, you know, if somebody comes up, there’s nothing we can do,” Sabrina Walker, a patient’s mother, said.
Police say to make sure you’re aware of surroundings.
“I’ll probably look around when I get out of my car and stuff but I kind of did that before but I’ll probably be more cautious,” Dickerson said.
A hospital spokeswoman said depending on the investigation they will decide whether to increase patrols.
If you recognize the suspects, call police or the KC Crimestoppers hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
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Andres Gutierrez can be reached at andres.gutierrez@kshb.com
