Residents On Edge After Two More Apt. Robberies

Feeling unsafe and scared: it's common feeling for local apartment residents after eight armed robberies at various Fort Wayne apartments this week.

"Unfortunately we don't live in a 100-percent safe world. No matter where you live or breathe these days crime can happen anywhere" says Beth Wyatt, executive director of the Apartment Association for Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana.

Wyatt says they're working with apartment managers, boosting efforts in hopes the number of robberies doesn't continue to rise.

"First thing this morning we sent out an alert out to all our member apartment communities in Fort Wayne and Allen County just letting them knows that obviously a few things had happened this week and that there are many resources available to them" says Wyatt.

Between Monday and Tuesday night six armed apartment robberies took place. The robbers approached the victims with a gun, asking for money and in some cases even forcing them inside their apartments to steal more.

Then last night, two similar incidents happened. But looking at these latest cases, it seems the robbers are getting more aggressive. Police say in both incidents the victims were bound. In one case they were hit in the head and face.

"Back in 2011 when we did have that rash of burglaries, certain apartment managers did work with the local law enforcement to have regular patrols" says Wyatt.

In addition to the patrols, Wyatt offers these tips to residents:

"Have a plan when you're either going to your car or from your car to your apartment" she says. "If you live with someone, let them know that you're coming home so that they can be aware and on the lookout. And if you ever get the feeling in the pit of your stomach that something's not quite right, stay in your apartment or stay in your car and drive to a friend's house."

Police say the robbers were both black men wearing dark clothing. Police have also released a suspect vehicle description. It's a late nineties/early 2000 'boxy-style' jeep Cherokee white or light in color.

If you have any information you're urged to call Fort Wayne police or CrimeStoppers at 260-436-STOP.