DAVIS, Calif. — The Davis Police Department is asking the public to be extra vigilant this week, after a string of robberies and carjackings.
"There have been eight armed robberies in Davis in the last seven weeks. Several have now involved attempted or actual carjackings," Lt. Art Camacho said in a press release. "In some of the incidents, the victims were walking alone and all but one occurred in the evening hours during darkness."
Camacho gave the warning in a press release about the Tuesday night robbery and carjacking of two women.
Libna Leon, a UC Davis student, and her friend say they are the victims of the most recent crime.
The attack happened just before 11 p.m. near the 1200 block of Alvarado Avenue — an area just east of "The Marketplace" shopping center.
Leon said they were studying for midterms and were hungry so they drove to Burger King. Both women said they were getting out of their parked car when a man got out of a white Honda Odyssey minivan and approached the driver's side of the car.
"That’s when one man got out and was wearing a white hoodie. He was pointing a gun and was telling us to drop everything, drop our keys and phones," Leon said.
Leon said he drove off with the women's 2007 Audi four-door sedan (license plate 5VBZ037), followed by the white minivan, which was occupied by three other men.
She said the men told the women to go across the street and lay down while they took off. Leon snapped a picture of the white van before they got away.
Police said the cars were last seen driving westbound on Alvarado Avenue near Sycamore Lane.
The lieutenant said four men are wanted for their involvement, but their descriptions are very limited. Here's what they know:
- Suspect one: Black or Hispanic man
- Armed with a silver handgun
- About 5'10" and wearing a black bandana over his face and a white hooded sweatshirt
- Suspect two: Hispanic man
- About 5'6" with a light complexion and wearing a bandana.
- Suspect three: Black man
- Tall, thin build
- Suspect four: No description
During their investigation, detectives found out that the white Honda Odyssey minivan, license plate 6EQL190, had been reported stolen in Woodland not long before the Davis crime. The investigation is ongoing.
The Davis Police Department believes all four of the suspects in this case are armed and dangerous. Community members with information regarding this incident should contact the Davis Police Department at 530-747-5400.
SAFETY TIPS FROM POLICE:
1. Avoid walking alone late in the evening hours.
2. If you must walk alone, avoid dark unpopulated areas.
3. Avoid using or being distracted by your cellphone while in public.
4. Cooperate if you are confronted by an armed or potentially armed person; property can always be replaced.
5. Report suspicious persons and/or behavior.
6. Activate tracking software on phones and electronic devices.
Top 3 items from Sacramento City Council meeting | Nov. 12, 2019
FREE ABC10 APP:
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for ABC10's Daily Blend Newsletter