Police seek help finding suspects in string of College Hill armed robberies

Cincinnati District 5 police are asking for help in their investigation of a series of armed robberies that have taken place in College Hill over the past month.

According to Cincinnati police, at least seven armed robberies have taken place in and around that neighborhood since December, with the latest incident occurring Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 4140 Hamilton Avenue in Northside.

All of the robberies have taken place within a few blocks of Hamilton Avenue between North End and Groesbeck.

Derek Grant works at Goodie's Barbecue in the heart of the area where the victims were robbed. He says he feels generally safe in the area, but will pay more attention.

"I don't understand what's going on in this area or in any other area, with all these teenagers running around with no sensibility or trying to get a job and stabilize themselves," Grant told 9 On Your Side.

But Grant says he has a good rapport with local police and has only experienced one robbery there in 24 years on the job.

Police said the majority of these offenses have occurred Thursday through Sunday between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The suspects are being described as two black males, approximately 16 to 20 years of age, who approach victims and demand personal property while brandishing handguns.

Cellphones and cash are the typically taken during the robberies, police said.

Anyone with information regarding theses offenses is being asked to contact the District 5 Investigative Unit at (513) 569-8500 or CrimeStoppers at (513) 352-3040.