Surveillance Tape Shows Armed Robbery

Several violent robberies that have taken place in the heart of Adams Morgan have business owners concerned.

They've happened at a busy intersection in the 1700 block of Columbia Road. Police say masked suspects have been using guns and getting away with case. Luckily, no one has been hurt yet.

Surveillance video shows one of the robberies going down at about 10:30 a.m. on an early March morning. D.C. Police released it in hopes that someone would recognize the suspects.

Once inside the store, the tape shows the suspects pulling out their weapons and robbing the business. The store was full of customers at the time, and they too were robbed at gunpoint.

Community leaders say this is just one of many robberies that illustrate how small businesses are being preyed upon.

"It's scary times," said ANC Commissioner Bryan Weaver. "This is broad daylight. This is brazen gun play in the middle of the day."

The suspects appear to be targeting quieter businesses on Columbia Road. In fact, police say four businesses that are just doors apart have been robbed in the last two weeks. They include Crumbs and Coffee, Casa Lebrato, Metro Liquor, and Banco National. Investigators aren't sure if they're connected.

"We're trying to put together to see if there is any relation," said Commander George Kucik of the D.C. Police Department's 3rd District. "It could be that one went off on his own one time and the other suspects were outside, but we don't know."

Right now, there are no definitive links to indicate same people are committing the robberies, which have been happening in one of Adams Morgan's busiest areas. The liquor store has a surveillance camera just inches from the door, but still the bandits walked right in with their weapons drawn.

At one point in the surveillance video, one customer struggles to get away.

Some wonder if the economy is feeding the hunger for cash.

"Unfortunately I think this is a fallout of bad economic times," said Weaver. "I think people are desperate. Some view it as a way to make some easy cash."

As dramatic as the video is, police and community leaders are glad no one has been hurt. Now the search is on for the suspects. Police hope someone recognizes them.

In the meantime, police will step up patrols.

"I had officers today starting to stop by and really talk to businesses, and we'll try to continue that and really go out to business hard this week," said Kucik.

Residents say two other businesses, a check-cashing place and a Western Union store, were also robbed a block away since the beginning of the year.

Police provided the following description of the suspects:

SUSPECT ONE: Between 35-40 years old, wearing a black three-quarter length jacket and black baseball cap. Armed with a handgun.

SUSPECT TWO: Between 35-40 years old, wearing a black and blue North Face jacket and black cap.

SUSPECT THREE: Between 20-25 years old. Dark complexion, dreadlocks and wearing black. Armed with a handgun.

Anyone with information is asked to call the D.C. Police Department.

WATCH THE RAW SURVEILLANCE VIDEO HERE