Police: Heroin addiction causes robbery uptick

Cold temperatures haven’t stopped an uptick in robberies in the eastern part Dayton, and police say heroin addiction coupled with a desperation for quick cash to get a fix may be behind the spike.

Since the beginning of the year, 18 robberies have been reported. Many of the cases are armed robberies, each time committed by different individuals who threaten store clerks or individuals with a weapon to get cash. There were two robberies reported during the same period in 2014 — which is why police said they are so concerned about the uptick.

“Usually we see more robberies in December, and it kind of falls off (due to) the weather. That’s not what’s happening,” said Sgt. Moises Perez. “When you analyze it a little bit, you realize … it’s not the same person doing a bunch of robberies.”

Out of the 18 cases, police made six arrests.

Christina Porter, who is still in the Montgomery County Jail, is wanted in connection with two separate robberies at the Fifth-Third Bank on Linden Avenue. Of those arrested, Perez said the suspects admitted to be addicted to heroin, and that they committed the crimes to get money to feed their habit.

Dayton police are working with Miami Valley Police and officers at the University of Dayton to coordinate on robbery calls and respond quicker to incidents. Time, Perez said, is a key factor in apprehending suspects. The best advise to those who find themselves being robbed is to comply with the robber’s orders, he said, and get a good description of the person to give to police.

Anyone with information about these robberies can call police on the CrimeStoppers tipline, (937) 222-7867.

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