WASHINGTON – D.C. police are looking for at least three male robbers accused of attacking their victims with stun guns.
Four Hispanic men have been attacked since Monday, all near the Washington Convention Center in the city’s Logan Circle neighborhood.
In the first incident at about 2 a.m. Monday on N Street near Logan Circle, The Washington Post reports a man and his cousin tried to escape from three men — one wielding a stun gun, two with handguns. The victims were caught, and one was hit in the face and the other was shocked. The suspects stole a wallet and iPhone.
The second incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Monday when police say a man was pulled into an alley near 14th and N streets, punched in the head and robbed, the Post reports.
Police spokesman Araz Alali says a stun gun was used against the victim.
And about 5:20 a.m. Tuesday, a man reportedly exited a car on N Street, shocked a victim with a stun gun and punched him. Another man took the victim’s wallet, phone and backpack, the Post reports.
Police say the suspects are extremely dangerous and have little regard for the people they’re targeting. They do not have a detailed description of the suspects, the Post reports.
Alali says the stun gun robberies are isolated incidents and no other similar attacks have been reported. Police are investigating whether the three robberies are related.
One neighbor, who declined to be named, wonders whether recently appearing graffiti is related to the robberies. Police say a green tag on the side of a Latino market is gang graffiti but they have no evidence to suggest the tagging is related to the stun gun robberies.
Police urge pedestrians in the city to be aware of their surroundings and if they feel they are being followed, to go to a crowded area.
Other tips to avoid becoming the victim of a robbery include:
- Walk in well-lit areas
- Never walk alone
- Don’t carry lots of cash
- Call police if you see any suspicious activity or a suspicious person
If you are robbed, police urge victims to pay close attention to the robber’s appearance including race, age, facial hair, clothing and even the robber’s speech, Alali says.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.
