Two People Arrested In String of Violent Crimes on Broadway

ROCKFORD - A Rockford neighborhood is under a cloud of fear following three violent incidents in the last four days.

On Tuesday a man was stabbed at The Happy Shop in the 1500 block of Broadway.  On Thursday, another man was stabbed at his business in the 1200 block of Broadway, and Friday morning two men attempted to rob the Post Office just feet away in the 1100 block of Broadway.  Police say they believe the three incidents are related.

All three happened in broad daylight and in all three a weapon was shown, and in two of the incidents used.  It has people scared and some saying it's time to leave the area.

"It's gotten worse, year after year, after year, after year," said Rockford resident Duwain Eggert who lives near Broadway.

And other people feel the same.

"It's getting worse and worse," said Rockford resident Cathy Pearson.  They're scared to walk to the store.

"I'm a senior citizen," said Eggert.  "And I don't feel safe walking down the streets anymore."

And they're scared to raise their families here.

"I want my kids in a nicer neighborhood," said Terina Enyeart who also lives near Broadway.

On Tuesday, a man was stabbed at The Happy Shop.

"A clerk was beating up and stabbed during an incident inside the store," said Rockford Police Lieutenant Marc Welsh.

On Wednesday, just two blocks away an owner was stabbed inside his store.  "A store where the clerk was stabbed multiple times," said Welsh.

And on Friday, two men attempted to rob the Post Office just steps from the other two incidents.

"Two black male suspects entered the business, one of the displayed a knife," said Welsh.

Police believe the two men that attempted to rob the Post Office might also be responsible for two separate stabbings that happened just blocks away earlier this week

"We are investigating the fact that all three of them may be related," said Welsh.

In all three a sharp cutting tool was either used or displayed, and the suspect descriptions given to police of the offenders seem to match.

"The incidents have similar suspect descriptions," said Welsh.

For Duwain Eggert, it's sadly becoming the norm and the fear of being out is keeping people like him in, especially if they've been the victim.

"Stuck a gun in my face, took my wallet, took my money, took my keys, took my cell phone," said Eggert.

It's even driving some families to move away from the crime.

"I do feel like the city is trying to clean it up," said Enyeart.  "But we're just ready to go."

Police have increased patrols in the area but are asking people to be cautious and aware, and report any suspicious behavior.