Albany police respond to two early Saturday armed robberies

ALBANY — At least two armed robberies were reported on Saturday in Albany, including one business robbery, reports from the Albany Police Department show.

An armed robbery at 436 Heard Ave., Apt. A, was reported shortly after midnight. APD spokeswoman Phyllis Banks said that on the way to the call, dispatch advised that a red Chrysler 200 had also been stolen during the robbery. Contact was made with the victim, who stated he had been robbed by two men wearing all black.

Banks said the victim reported the men hit him on the left side of his face with a handgun. He said he arrived there in his mother’s Chrysler 200 to meet a woman. The victim told police the woman contacted him via text message and asked him to come to 436 Heard Ave. After he pulled into the driveway and turned the car off, he got out of the vehicle and began to walk toward the residence when the men ran out from the east side of the house.

The victim said one of the men struck him with the handgun. He said he became dizzy, and the men reached into his pockets and managed to get the car keys. The suspects got into the vehicle and drove off, Banks said.

The victim had swelling to the left side of his forehead with drops of blood on it. Paramedics were dispatched to the scene, but the victim refused treatment. He said he could see the suspects and described them as black men wearing black masks and all black clothing, Banks said.

Banks said that, while still on the scene, units were dispatched to 1801 W. Gordon Ave. in reference to an armed robbery at Neighborhood Grocery. Officers responding to that armed robbery found the initial victim’s vehicle parked at Dellwood Park.

Reports show the West Gordon incident was reported at 1 a.m. on Saturday. Banks said officers made contact with two employees, who were preparing to lock the front door of the business when two men ran around from the side of the building. The suspects, both of whom were armed, demanded money from the register and got away with an undisclosed amount of cash before they fled on foot.

Both men in that incident were described as tall, dark-skinned black men wearing all black clothing with black trash bags on their heads, Banks said.

Anyone with information on any crime in the Albany area is encouraged to call Albany Area CrimeStoppers at (229) 436-TIPS (8477). Those who use the tipline may become eligible for cash rewards.