Armed Robberies on the Rise in Rockford

According to police, robberies have risen 4% since this time last year and police say these past few weeks have highlighted the problem.

Monday night a pizza man was robbed on the city's southeast side. It's the latest in a string of armed robberies that have hit the area.

"We've seen a tremendous spike of robberies both with handguns and with strong armed robberies," says Rockford Police Chief Chet Epperson.
   
And police say this weekend was no exception. Ten armed robberies were reported which is the most police say they've seen during one weekend is some time. 

One of those incidents included the home invasion of Lorenzo Smith. Saturday night three armed men broke into Smith's west side home, then beat and robbed him.  

Since the beginning of the month, there have been a dozen armed robberies targeting not only homes and businesses but pedestrians as well.

"We're seeing second and third generation criminals of family who've been known criminals for a number of years who have no regard for your safety. So they're being savages and robbing people," says Epperson.

Police say recent robberies have expanded beyond the west side into all four sections of the city.  While police are unsure why there's been a recent surge, they say one of the elements contributing to the problem is drug abuse.

"Most drug offenders aren't employed. They're not working like you and I are working. They're having to steal, rob, take anything they can to feed their drug habit," says Epperson.

Police say they are investigating whether the robberies are connected in any way.  In the meantime, they say they will be more vigilant in patrol areas that have seen recent incidents.
   
Police are asking that if you have seen or know anything about a recent incident call the Rockford Police Department at (815) 987-5824.