During the early afternoon hours of Thursday, January 19, three strong-arm robberies occurred within a span of approximately 20 minutes. The robberies occurred between 2:45pm and 3:05pm in two separate locations and the suspects, described as young adult black males, targeted both male and female juveniles as their victims.

In each case the victims were walking home from Los Alamitos High School. During the first robbery, the male victim was approached by the suspects as he walked south on Bloomfield St. near Florista St.

One of the two suspects walked up to the 15-year old victim and motioned as if he had a weapon in his jacket. He demanded that the victim (#1) hand over his cell phone and other small items. The second victim (#2), a 15-year old female juvenile, was in close proximity to the first victim but several yards away, happened to observe the initial robbery.

Seeing the female juvenile, the suspects told her to walk to where they were standing, and when she did the suspects ordered her to relinquish her phone snatching it from her hands. When the suspects discovered the phone was inoperable, it was given back. Neither victim was injured during the assault. The suspects fled northbound on Bloomfield St. on foot.

A third robbery occurred a few minutes later at the intersection of Sausalito St. and Walnut St., and the victims were also 15-year old Los Alamitos High School students. The suspects used a similar method to approach the male and female victims making similar demands for property.

The male victim (#3) was asked if he was a gang member and was slapped before giving up his wallet, a cell phone, and an IPod. The female victim (4) was shoved against a car and her breasts were fondled.  She did not suffer a loss of property. The suspects, who we believe to be the same in all incidents, fled the area on foot traveling east on Sausalito St.

The suspects are described as follows: #1-Male, Black, 18 -25, 5'-7" to 5'-10" with a medium build. He has a dark complexion, black short hair and goatee. He was last seen wearing a dark colored jacket with white lettering, dark baggy jeans and sneakers. He had a tattoo on his neck and an earring. #2 -Male, Black, in his 20s, 6'-1" to 6'-1" to 6'-2", skinny build with short hair. He was wearing a dark shirt, dark blue jeans, and a dark colored hooded sweatshirt.

Witnesses in the area report seeing a dark older model Kia or Hyundai 4-door sedan in the area shortly after the robbery occurring at Sausalito St. and Walnut St. The driver was described as a heavyset black female and there may have been an additional male black passenger with dreadlocks. It is unknown if this vehicle is related to the crimes, but based on the location and circumstances, it is likely to be involved in these incidents.

The Los Alamitos Police Department is seeking additional witnesses to these crimes and asks that anyone with information contact the detective bureau at (562) 431-2255, extension 405.