Four Davis Residents Robbed At Gunpoint In Greenbelt, Park

DAVIS (CBS13) - Four Davis residents were robbed at gunpoint on Thursday night in a span of less than two hours, police said.

The first robbery occurred at about 8:10 p.m. on the greenbelt nearest Pamplona Drive. A man was walking his dog and was confronted by two men, one armed with a handgun. The suspects demanded the man's personal property and then fled the area, police said.

The suspects were both described as Hispanic men in their 30s, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall with a husky build and wearing all black clothing, including a mask.

The second robbery occurred at about 8:35 p.m. on the greenbelt near Catalina Drive and Corona Drive. Two Davis residents were walking on the greenbelt when two male subjects approached them; one armed with what appeared to be a handgun. The suspects reportedly demanded their personal property.

The suspects were described as white or Hispanic, in their 20s, approximately 5-foot-10 and weighing about 200 pounds. Both were last seen wearing dark clothing and masks.

The third robbery occurred in Sycamore Park at about 10 p.m. The victim was riding his bicycle through Sycamore Park when two men blocked his path. One displayed a handgun and demanded the victim turn over his personal property, police said.

The suspects were described as stocky, about 5-foot-11 and wearing all black, including masks.

Mary Bukpitt loves living near the greenbelt, saying it's the perfect place to walk her dogs every day. She's lived there 28 years.

"Lovely, wonderful, that's why we're still here," she said, "so we like it very much. Our children went to school nearby, rode their bikes to school. And it's a nice place to live, to raise children."

But the greenbelt is a place of opportunity for thieves, police said.

"It could be because they're secluded, not a lot of foot traffic that goes through there in the evening time, so that may be a factor," Davis police Lt. Glenn Glasgow said. "Also, there are areas to hide within the greenbelt area, behind buses and benches, which may be what they're targeting."

Backpacks, wallets and cell phones were all stolen from the four victims at gunpoint.

"We have stepped up our patrol in the area and we have tried to safeguard the greenbelt areas where this occurred," Glasgow said.

Mary said the robberies won't keep her from her daily routine, but she will be a little more alert in the future.

"You just be more aware and try and look at who is around you and what's happening," she said.

Anyone with information about any of the robberies is asked to call the Davis Police Department at (530) 747-5400.