The Greenbelt Police Department released a citizen advisory on February 16 warning residents of a recent string of armed robberies in the 6200 block of Springhill Court involving victims agreeing to meet women through a dating website.
According to police, when victims arrived at the agreed-upon location, they were met by armed suspects wearing masks. “The victims are usually physically assaulted and their wallets, car keys and cell phones are taken,” the citizen advisory read.
Five of these incidents have occurred within the past three weeks, police said. One of the dating websites, police said, being utilized to initiate contact with victims is an app called MeetMe.
There are currently no suspects or arrests, according to the department’s Public Information Liaison George Mathews. However, Mathews said that there are ways residents can protect themselves.
“You do not meet someone at the location of their choosing,” Mathews said, “for any type of in-person transaction.” Mathews said that residents should keep in mind that they are meeting an absolute stranger, and are taking a huge leap of faith.
“Choose the place you meet strangers and make sure that place is well-lit and populated with plenty of eyes and ears, where you have less chance of being victimized,” Mathews said. “For any social media transaction, we encourage residents to meet at the police department.”
Police ask that anyone with information regarding these incidents contact the Greenbelt Police Department at 301-474-7200.
Aviso a Residentes
Robos utilizando Aplicaciones para citas
Hemos tenido varios reportes de robo a mano armada en el area de la ciudad de Greenbelt. En estos robos, las victimas utilizan una aplicacion para citas románticas con otras personas. Una vez que las victimas acceden a encontrarce, se encuentran con individuos armados utilizando mascaras. Las victims en estos casos, son agredidas y son despojados de sus carteras, llaves de sus vehículos y celulares. Ciudadanos, les estamos recomendando no citarte con estranos. Si alguien tiene mas información de estas aplicaciones o de estos casos, por favor comuníquese a la brevedad posible con la Policia de la Ciudad de Greenbelt al 301-474-7200