Courtesy of Hoover Police Department
The Place at Galleria
A robbery occurred at The Place at Galleria Apartments. Police believe surveillance video will help identify a suspect.
Hoover police are investigating a potential connection between recent robberies and four robberies that occurred in November.
HPD Capt. Gregg Rector said they believe the same suspect has committed these robberies due to similarities in the suspect description and the actions taken by the suspect.
Monday night around 6:30 p.m., a resident was robbed in the parking lot of Lorna Place Apartments off of Lorna Road. The victim was near the 900 building when a black man with a handgun approached him and demanded money. The victim refused, and the suspect reportedly hit him in the head with a handgun.
The suspect fled the scene on foot, running toward the Walmart Neighborhood Market. The victim was treated on the scene for minor injuries.
Another robbery was reported on Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. The robbery occurred in the laundry room at The Place at Galleria Apartments. The suspect in this robbery also had a handgun, and he stole a cell phone and $5 from the victim.
Police have released surveillance video and photos of the Jan. 6 robbery, which can be viewed below.
“We believe this is the same suspect involved in the November crimes,” Rector said. “He disappeared for about two months and now he’s back and committing robberies again.”
Police report the two January robberies are similar to four that occurred at The Place at Galleria Apartments in November.
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, around 9:15 p.m., a male victim was on his patio when a black male with a handgun approached him. The suspect forced his way into the apartment and robbed three people of their wallets and cell phones.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, around 9 p.m., three men had been robbed while they were doing construction work inside a vacant apartment. The suspect approached the victims with a handgun and stole wallets and cell phones from all three of them. One of the victims was struck in the head with the handgun and required treatment on scene.
The suspect in these cases has been described as a black male in his 20s, carrying either an all-black or black and silver handgun. Detectives believe the suspect could have ties to the Gate City area.
The suspect has fled on foot in each case, and no getaway car has been reported. There was an unknown black accomplice during at least two of the robberies, according to police.
“It’s also apparent to us, and disturbing, that he appears to be targeting Hispanic victims,” Rector said. “He probably believes they might be reluctant to report the crimes to police. He also sees them as easy targets who might have cash and might not be likely to resist. He’s also shown a willingness to use violence and he has to be caught.”
Police encourage citizens to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity.
Anyone with information about this case can contact Detective Todd Henningsen at 444-7534 or Hoover PD at 822-5300. Henningsen is also fluent in Spanish.
