BALTIMORE — Baltimore police are warning the community of a new robbery trend targeting jackets and Citizen watches.
Police say the robberies are targeting young people and the brands being stolen are North Face, Canada Goose and Moose Knuckles.
“There’s so many jacket options and they chose North Face like why would you take my bubble coat off my back? Like that’s crazy," Zion Elee, who just bought a new top-of-the-line jacket, said.
These incidents happened while victims are commuting to and from school and moving through public spaces, according to police. Many Baltimore City students rely on public transport to get to and from the classroom.
“Maybe if you have a $400 coat, you should maybe go for a cheaper option if you’re getting on the bus," another North Face wearer Kamaya Barnes suggested.
In several cases, suspects have displayed weapons to intimidate victims.
Safety Tips from Police:
- Stay aware of surroundings
- Avoid distractions
- Don't travel alone
- Keep valuables out of sight
- Avoid carrying these items when possible
“That annoys me, yes, because they should be able to wear what they want to wear. Their parents work hard, so they should be able to wear what they want to wear," mother and grandmother Mia Crank said.
Crank, who wore her North Face jacket on Sunday to the Inner Harbor's Christmas Village, said she thought about leaving it behind because of the PSA, but said she felt safe enough to wear it.
But it's a different story for her grandchildren.
"They don't wear theirs, because I can't be everywhere at the same time. So, no, they don't wear theirs to school," she said.
Investigators say these incidents are not isolated and aren't being committed by a single group.
Several juvenile arrests have been made and their ages range from 15 to 18.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is urged to contact 410-366-6341.
