COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — In the first six weeks of this year, Commerce City Police responded to a dozen armed robberies - which is more than double the amount they responded to during the same period last year.
In a Facebook post, the agency said they responded to only four armed robberies in the first six weeks of 2023, compared to the 12 reported this year.
Three of the armed robberies occurred at businesses, according to the post. In five of the crimes, the suspect or suspects used a weapon to rob another person. The other four were domestic violence-related. Joanna Small, a spokesperson with Commerce City Police, said no one was physically hurt in any of the incidents.
The department shared video of the most recent crime, which occurred overnight Wednesday into Thursday at a 7-Eleven convenience store in the 5600 block of East 56th Avenue.
“Obviously pretty scary,” said Small. “The gun is visible in at least one of the suspects’ hands the entire time.”
Two masked suspects - one with a gun and one with a knife - entered the business and forced the clerk to hand over cash from two registers while they also stole other items.
Last Saturday, police responded to a business in the 6500 block of East 64th Avenue for an armed robbery where shots were fired. Video from the incident shows a man with a gun who can be heard ordering someone to get down on the ground.
“They were pushing customers onto the ground with guns pointed into their backs,” said Small.
According to police, four masked suspects, all with guns, entered the business, stole from multiple customers, and fired multiple shots.
“We want to make those 24-hour convenience stores aware that this has been happening,” said Small. “We don’t think it’s the same suspect. We don’t necessarily think they’re related in any way. But just keep your eyes open.”
Afterward, the suspects left in a red sedan, which was recovered the next day. Security cameras in the area where the car was found showed a masked person abandoning it. According to Commerce City Police, the sedan was stolen out of Denver on the same day of the armed robbery.
“Customers aren’t safe from it either,” said Small. “So even if you don’t own or work at a convenience store, you probably frequent one from time to time. How terrifying is that to have masked people run in armed with weapons?”
Anyone with information about the robberies should call the Commerce City Police tip line at 303-289-3626.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Investigations & Crime