Authorities consider to increase police presence in Long Beach following recent string of robberies

Long Beach, California – A recent wave of armed robberies at commercial companies on January 2 prompted authorities to consider increasing the presence of law enforcement throughout Long Beach.

Authorities said five robberies occurred within four hours. The first robbery of the string took place near the Virginia Country Club on the 4000 block of Atlantic Avenue in North Long Beach around 12:55 a.m.; the second robbery happened on the 4200 block of Long Beach Boulevard at approximately 1:03 a.m. near the Virginia Country Club; the third one occurred on the 2600 block of Pacific Avenue at approximately 1:36 a.m. near Veterans Park; the fourth one happened on the 200 block of West Willow Street at approximately 1:39 a.m. near Veterans Park; and the last one took place near Cal State Long Beach in the 1700 block of Bellflower Boulevard at approximately 4:43 a.m.

“These incidents generally occurred in the early morning hours and involved a male adult suspect armed with a handgun entering a business, robbing it at gunpoint, and taking varying amounts of money from the respective business. Due to the similar circumstances involved, detectives believe that the incidents may be related. However, the investigation is still ongoing,” Allison Gallagher said, a Long Beach Police Department spokesperson.

No one was hurt in any of the robberies, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

The robberies remain under investigation.