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String of aggressive robberies has North Raleigh residents on edge

Investigators continued to search Saturday for a man they say is responsible for four, possibly five separate robberies in the North Raleigh area.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Investigators continued to search Saturday for a man they say is responsible for four or possibly five separate robberies in the North Raleigh area. 

According to investigators, a man approached a 21-year-old woman outside of a home in the 4900 block of Wynneford Way at about 9 p.m. Friday and demanded money and jewelry.

The 21-year-old was forced back inside the home at gunpoint, pushed to the ground and kicked by the man. The woman was able to escape the scene and drove herself to a nearby Han-Dee Hugo's gas station at 9109 Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh.

Police say Friday's attempted crime fits a pattern that has many North Raleigh residents on edge.

On Thursday, an armed man kidnapped a woman from a home off Ebenezer Church Road in Raleigh and forced her to drive to a nearby ATM, the Wake County Sheriff's Office said. 

According to Raleigh police, the woman, whose name was not released, was forced into her car by a man wearing a mask and forced to drive to an ATM at the intersection of Duraleigh Road and Edwards Mill Road.

Sometime after she was forced to withdraw money, the woman jumped from the driver's side of the car, police said. The armed man drove off and returned the car to the home on Stoneridge Drive.

Neighbors who live in the area said the string of aggressive incidents has their community on edge.

"It's got my wife nervous. She called me the other night wanting to make sure that I was home before she got home because she just didn't feel comfortable," said resident Roberto Agnolutto.

In all of the robberies, the suspect has had a gun and has forced the victims into their homes to rob them or force them to drive to a nearby ATM.

"Nothing like this has ever happened. I've heard of some break-ins, but nothing like this," said resident Kim Kellam.

The first robbery happened Sunday morning. A man with a handgun assaulted a man and stole a woman's purse while they walked together in the 4800 block of Pleasant Valley Road, police said.

Shortly after midnight Monday, a woman was taken by an armed man from the parking lot of her apartment building on Furman Hall, off Duraleigh Road, forced to get into her car and drive to an ATM and withdraw cash, according to Raleigh police. The robber later dropped her off near the Interstate 40/Wade Avenue interchange and took her car.

Then, around 10:30 p.m. Monday, a man forced his way into a home in the 100 block of Collins Drive, police said. He held a couple at gunpoint and stole money and jewelry from them. He then ordered then into a car and forced them to drive to an ATM to withdrawal cash.

After demanding they drive back to their home, he stole electronics before forcing them to drive away again. He eventually dropped them off down the street and dumped their car a block away.

"It seems like every day. He doesn't seem to worry about it. You figure he knows people are watching him," Agnolutto said.

The most recent case is being investigated by the Wake County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have not said if Friday's attempted robbery is connected to the other cases.

Anyone with information about any of the crimes is asked to call Raleigh Crime Stoppers at 919-834-4357 or visit www.raleighcrimestoppers.org to text and email tips.

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