Elizabethtown Police urging vigilance after 5 armed robberies in parking lots

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Elizabethtown Police Department is urging residents to remain vigilant after five armed robberies Friday night.

Police officers with the department responded to the robberies between 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday, according to Elizabethtown Police spokesperson Chris Denham.

Denham said during each robbery, the victims were exiting their car in parking lots at the Peddler's Mall, Towne Mall, an apartment complex on Towne Drive and another apartment complex off Noltemeyer Way.

"One suspect exited, approached the victims as they exited the vehicle, pointed a firearm at them and demanded that they hand over their possessions," he said.

Two of the armed robberies took place at the Towne Mall.

The victims said they were approached by a young black male wearing a face covering and dark clothing who was armed with a gun.

Denham says at the end of the first four robberies, the suspect fled the scene in a dark colored Cadillac SRX that was driven by "a second accomplice."

In the fifth robbery, at an apartment complex, the suspect fled the scene in the victim's light grey 2020 Dodge Challenger. The stolen vehicle has not been found by police yet.

Denham says similar crimes have occurred in surrounding counties and "are likely connected."

Many Elizabethtown residents are concerned after the string of crime. Towne Mall employees are on high alert now when leaving the workplace, store owner Matt Bickers told WDRB.

"This could happen to any of us, and nobody had notified us of you guys breaking the story yesterday afternoon," he said.

Bickers said he only learned of the robberies through a WDRB News story. He's frustrated with mall management's lack of communication.

"We should've came in Saturday morning with a letter from management stating, 'This is what has happened Friday night, Please let us know if you need assistance walking to your car.' Just so we could be vigilant and aware of our surroundings," Bickers said.

Police are urging anyone who is out at night to avoid poorly lit parking lots and to consider traveling in pairs. Anyone who spots any suspicious activity is also asked to call police or 911.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Elizabethtown Police at 270-765-425 or report it anonymously to Hardin County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-597-8123 or online here.