Armed robberies on the rise in central Florida

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — New numbers uncovered by Channel 9 show a rise in the number of armed robberies in central Florida

Channel 9's Tim Barber went through records for area law enforcement agencies to compare the number of armed robberies in the first three months of year compared to the same time period last year.

He found that in Orange County, person robberies jumped 54 percent and in Orlando commercial robberies quadrupled.

"Four times from last year? That is a lot," said Orange County resident Rowland Young.

"It's sad. We are going to hell in a handbasket," said Orlando resident Edward Murphy.

An Orlando Police Department spokesman said last year's crime stats were low and detectives have solved several of this year's robberies.

"What is the Orlando Police Department doing to track these guys down?" Barber asked Orlando Police Sgt. Jim Young.

"Obviously we use the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange, which provides intelligence information based on crimes and criminal activity throughout central Florida," Young said.

The Intelligence Exchange emerged from the 9/11 attacks so law enforcement agencies could exchange information about potential terrorists.
Orange County officials did not respond to Barber's request for an interview.

Investigators said they are also getting assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

WFTV