String of violent crimes possibly tied

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia Beach police are investigating a string of violent robberies and a sexual assault case they believe may be related.

In the early morning hours of February 5, at around 1:30 a.m., police say a woman was robbed at gunpoint by two men at the Bayside Arms Apartments in the 5100 block of Dandy Ct. The woman had just returned home when the suspects robbed her. One of them then sexually assaulted the victim in the parking lot. During the crime, another car pulled into the parking lot and police say one of the suspects robbed that driver at gunpoint as he exited his vehicle, then hit the man in the head with the gun.

Police spokesperson Adam Bernstein told WAVY.com Friday's crime may be related to several other robberies in Virginia Beach since mid-January.

Investigators are fairly confident a robbery on February 4 is related. Just after midnight, a man was robbed at gunpoint as he got out of his vehicle in the 4600 block of Downeast Court at the North Beach Apartments. One suspect robbed him, then the second suspect struck him in the back of the head.

Neighbors at Aden Apartments were saddened by the news.

"People pay too much rent and can't come home from work. It's ridiculous," said Kim Boston.

Police spokesperson Adam Bernstein says stranger robberies are rare in Virginia Beach.

"In each of the cases, they're becoming more and more violent and that's what we're concerned about," said Bernstein.

Police are still investigating whether or not four other robberies may be tied to the ones above as well.

Police are still searching for the suspects.

If you have any information about these crimes, please call the Virginia Beach Crime Solvers Office at 1-888-Lock-U-Up (1-888-562-5887).

This is a developing story. Stay with WAVY News 10 and WAVY.com for the latest.