The Lawrence Police Department is investigating three aggravated robberies that appear to involve the same suspects.
Police said between 4:55 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., three aggravated robberies occurred in southwest Lawrence. During each incident a shotgun was used to facilitate the robberies.
Police said the following incidents are not necessarily in chronological order:
According to police, in the area southeast of HyVee on Clinton Parkway, three men who were armed approached a man and took the victim’s property. Police said one of the suspects was described as dark skinned, 6 feet tall with a thin build wearing a dark hoodie and baseball-style hat.
Police said the second robbery occurred in the area of Holcom Sports Complex. Three men who were armed approached a man and took items from him.
Alison Dudley, who works for the Holcom Park Recreation Center, explained what she saw when she viewed the surveillance video.
"A vehicle pulled up slowly and it concerned the walker," Dudley said. "He didn't know what was happening. Then someone came out. It was an armed robbery."
Dudley said she came close to possibly seeing the crime happen.
"I was actually going to come in this morning and work out before I came in" she explained. "I'm glad I didn't because if so I would've walked up on it."
Children and people who exercise during the summer often visit Holcom Park.
Dudley said she never expected a crime to happen there.
"It's awful and just sickening to hear that something like that would happen, especially in Lawrence on a main street that's traveled pretty well," Dudley explained.
The third robbery occurred in the 1500 block of West 27th Street. According to police, a man was walking his dog and was approached by three men who demanded his property. A shotgun was displayed, and the victim’s dog was shot and killed by one of the suspects.
The robbery along West 27th Street has shocked neighbors who live nearby.
"This is a small community," explained Duc Tran, who lives a few doors down from where the shots were fired. "A lot of people come down to a dog park here and walk their dog."
Tran, a dog owner, said the crime may lead to him taking protective measures.
"I wasn't used to locking my door but now I've got to think about it," he said. "I'm not used to having to be armed when I walk my dog, but I guess I'm going to have to be."
Police said the incidents appear to involve the same suspects. The suspects are described as three men, and police said they are believed to be associated with a small SUV.
*UPDATE*
The SUV from this morning's armed robberies has a bright yellow vanity plate on the front of the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/fYRz5mL8sM
— Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) June 6, 2016
Anyone with information on these incidents is encouraged to contact Douglas County Crime Stoppers at 785-843-8477 or the Lawrence Police Department.
The investigation is ongoing.
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