Posted: Nov. 24, 2009

A college student, two seniors and a woman were targeted by robbers in Wauwatosa from Nov. 18 to 20.

While Wauwatosa police say it is too early in the investigation to determine whether the incidents are related, it does not surprise officers to see an uptick in robberies.

"There is a tendency to see spikes of robberies during the holiday season," Lt. Dominic Leone said.

Criminals want money and items, especially electronics, to sell or to give as gifts, and people become easier targets when they are busy and distracted during the holidays, he said.

Residents can make themselves less attractive to robbers by staying off their cell phone while walking in parking lots, paying attention to their surroundings and making eye contact with people in the area, he said.

He also suggests not chit-chatting with strangers.

On Nov. 18, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student was robbed at gunpoint in the 4000 block of North 92nd Street after a man stopped him to ask directions.

According to the police report, the robber said: "Just so you know I have a gun. Follow me right here. Turn around and start walking." The student saw the man's hand in his coat pocket. He believed he was armed, but he never saw a gun.

They walked about a block, and the man demanded money and a cell phone. Then he told the student to turn around and walk away.

In another incident, a Wauwatosa woman was robbed at gunpoint while walking in her apartment complex parking lot in the 4300 block of North 94th Street on Friday. As the woman got out of her car, she saw a man running toward her. She immediately got scared, but told herself he was probably just a jogger cutting through the lot, according to the police report.

Then he came toward her, reaching into his pocket to pull out a gun. "Give me everything you have," the report says he told her.

He took cash and grabbed the cell phone off her waistband before running away.

Leone tells residents to "trust your instincts. If your gut reaction is that something is wrong, call us." Or, they can walk into a well-lighted, open business and ask for help.

But it is possible to take precautions and still become a crime victim, Leone said.

Two elderly women who were knocked down by a purse snatcher outside Luther Manor, 4545 N. 92nd St., on Nov. 18 were following the rule of thumb "safety in numbers," Leone said.

But the man came up from behind and overpowered them, according to the police report.

First he grabbed the purse of the 85-year-old resident, pulling her to the ground. Then he grabbed the purse of her friend, a 74-year-old Cudahy woman, and dragged her into the parking lot until she let go. The robber took off in a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero.

AT A GLANCE

While the holidays are a time for celebrating, Wauwatosa police see scams and crimes increase this time of year.

Charity scams: Avoid "charities" whose representatives won't answer reasonable questions, such as how the money will be spent; those that will not send printed information; and those that can't provide an address of a physical building. Be wary of high-pressure "donate now" pitches. Never supply credit card, checking or savings account information via e-mail or telephone.

Gift card scams: Only buy gift cards protected by scratch-off security codes and packaging to prevent information theft. Otherwise, scammers can write down the numbers while the cards are on display and find out when the cards have been activated.

Thefts from vehicles: Don't leave packages or anything of value - digital media players, Global Positioning Systems or purses, for example - in view in a vehicle. Keep vehicles locked and park a well-lighted area.

Purse snatching: Avoid carrying a purse if possible. Instead, take only cash, credit cards and identification and keep them in a front pocket. If you can't leave your purse at home, make sure to drape it over a shoulder and not around the neck.

Credit card fraud: Always make sure your credit cards are given back. Do not let cards out of sight. At restaurants, pay with your credit card on the way out rather than allowing the waitstaff to take the card away for processing.

Source: Wauwatosa Police Department's Community Roll Call blog on WauwatosaNOW.com