THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411240680
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
At least six women have been robbed on Ghent streets since September by a man who either uses a weapon or knocks them down to take purses and money, police report.
None of the victims has been seriously hurt, police said.
All the robberies have happened on or near Colley, Colonial and Graydon avenues within a mile radius of the Stockley Gardens section.
The most recent robbery was reported Nov. 16 by a businesswoman who was making a daytime deposit at an automated teller machine in the 1900 block of Colonial Ave., police said. The woman was ``body-slammed'' by the robber, who took money, a police officer said.
It was the second time the man robbed a woman at that teller machine.
Police believe the man is operating alone. They said he has been armed with a gun, knife or club and sometimes wears a ski mask.
Twice, the suspect simply knocked down his victims and took purses or money.
Police believe he is targeting only women and may watch them for several minutes before robbing them.
One police officer described the suspect as a ``predatory'' criminal.
``Of course we're concerned,'' said Stephen Smith, president of the Ghent Neighborhood League. ``The police are taking steps to try to find the person. We certainly want him caught as soon as possible.''
Other than choosing female victims in the Ghent area, the man doesn't follow a pattern. Sometimes he strikes early in the morning, sometimes late at night.
On Oct. 2, he struck twice, police said. Then, after more then a month without any robberies, he struck twice more on successive days, Nov. 6 and 7.
Despite the recent rash of robberies, police statistics show that Ghent is one of the city's safest neighborhoods. Last year, the 38 robberies in Ghent were less than 3 percent of the city's total of 1,428.
Police spokesman Larry Hill offered women these safety tips:
Be aware of your surroundings.
Don't carry large items that obstruct your view.
Don't carry large purses or lots of cash.
If you see something suspicious, call police.
Hill said the suspect is black, 20 to 30 years old, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 10 and about 145 pounds. Witnesses said he had a faint beard and short hair.
Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call 441-5100. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
JOHN EARLE/Staff
STRING OF ASSAULTS
SOURCE: Norfolk Police Department
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
KEYWORDS: ROBBERIES by CNB