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Anchorage Police Say Three Recent Robberies Unrelated
Despite similar suspect descriptions, APD says crimes are not linked
By Matthew F. Smith
ANCHORAGE - Since the new year began, Anchorage has seen three high-profile robberies. The question is, are they related?
The description of the suspects in two armed robberies and a violent home invasion this week all describe a Latino man in his twenties, ranging between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighing between 180 and 190 pounds.
One armed robbery took place at a Southside Subway restaurant on Wednesday; the other, at a Downtown Pizza Hut yesterday.
During the home invasion in Fairview, police say the suspect knocked the homeowner unconscious and also stole his gun.
Anchorage Police Department spokesperson Dani Myren said despite the similar descriptions, the crimes are not related, and no tangible evidence links them.
APD advised that, if you are victimized in a robbery, to do what the employees at Subway and Pizza Hut did: obey the thief’s demands.
If a robbery does occur, “you'll want to comply with the robber,” Myren said. “The goal is to neutralize any potential injuries and de-escalate the situation.”
And Myren said that, if you see a robbery, police want you to be a “good witness.”
“Be a good observer,” she said. “The information we're going to want is physical characteristics, what do they look like, what are they wearing, elements that can't be changed, do they have any tattoos, how tall are they, what's their hair color,” and other indicators. Myren added that noting any vehicles, license plates, and the direction a suspect flees are also important facts.
Anchorage police said that, on average, there are about 470 robberies in the city every year. The numbers for 2012 aren't in yet, but police say it looks to be on par with the average. Despite the early spate of robberies in 2013, APD says it’s too early to assess whether the numbers are unusual.
