Sanford police warn residents about uptick in armed robberies

SANFORD, Fla. — Sanford’s historic district is lines with picturesque homes and Spanish moss, but recently the area has seen an uptick in armed robberies.

“The chief and the administrative staff, they do acknowledge that we have had an increase in robberies,” said Ronny Neal, of the Sanford Police Department.

Neal said the department is still putting together solid numbers, but he said there has been an increase in armed robberies.

The department posted about the robberies on its Facebook page.

The warning came with a promise of increased patrols in the historic district and throughout the city.

Neal said the spike has been evident during the month of December, with one of the latest hits occurring three days ago.

According to a report, on Dec. 19, a woman and her husband had just gotten to First Baptist Church at 5th Street and Magnolia Avenue when a man leaned into the car and demanded money at gunpoint.

The robber allegedly told the couple, “Give me your phone or I will kill you,” and, “I’ll blow your head off.”

He stole a cellphone and wallet from the couple, police said.

The same day on 11th Street and Palmetto Avenue, a woman said someone pointed a gun at her and demanded her phone, but took off when a neighbor saw what was happening.

“We understand that the citizens are very concerned about what’s going on,” said Neal.

No one has been hurt in the robberies.

Cox Media Group