Police investigate armed robbery and attempted robbery

Lynchburg police are investigating an armed robbery and an attempted robbery that occurred within half an hour of each other Saturday morning.

The first incident occurred on 17th Street at 3:08 a.m.

Four suspects, described as black males wearing white T-shirts, pulled their black SUV in front of the victims’ vehicle, forcing it to stop, police said.

The suspects then robbed the vehicle’s occupants at gunpoint.

According to police, one of the suspects hit a victim in the face with the stock of what police believe was a shotgun.

The other suspects pointed firearms at the victims as they were being robbed.

The second incident occurred on Willow Street, in the area of Cabell Street, at 3:30 a.m. Police said the suspects are the same.

The suspects attempted to rob two pedestrians, who ran away before the men could rob them.

As the pedestrians ran away, they heard shots being fired, according to police.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (888) 798-5900.

Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

The people who provided tip number 08-108 are asked to contact Lt. J.C. Bauserman of the Lynchburg Police Department at 455-3747 to collect reward money.

Bauserman requests the calls be made Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.