Weekend robbery could be part of larger crime string

Two women reported having their purses stolen to the Bloomington Police Department.

BPD Lt. Bill Parker said it could be part of a larger string of robberies.

The women said the crime occurred at 3:15 a.m. Saturday but they waited until 1:47 p.m. to report it.

The women said they were in the Steak ’n Shake parking lot near Crimson Crossing Apartments, Parker said. A man approached them and asked them if everything was OK. Then another man came up and snatched the women’s purses. They fled north.

The women described the men as black, about 5-foot-8 and of thin build.

Parker said the same type of robberies have been happening late at night in different parts of town. A man approaches one or two women and asks if everything is OK, and then one or two other men approach and quickly rob them.

Parker advises people to go out in larger groups.

“We’re going to take all possible steps to get to the bottom of this,” he said.

Anyone with information can call BPD at 812-339-4477.