Police Investigating Strong Armed Robberies Near Downtown Garage

MANCHESTER, NH — Police are investigating the robbery of two women at a popular parking garage in downtown Manchester.

On Saturday, police received a report of a robbery that occurred in the Citizen’s Bank parking garage. The victim told police at 10 p.m., she was getting into her car when an unknown man assaulted her and demanded her wallet. She gave him her purse and he fled the area on foot.

The man is described as white, of average height, thinner build, freckled arms, with a reddish/brown beard. He was last seen wearing a black backward baseball hat and black tank top.

This is the second strong-armed robbery in that area in a week’s time. On June 15, around 10:30 p.m., a woman walking to the Citizen’s Bank garage was robbed by an unknown man. She reported that the man initially bumped into her and apologized. She then crossed the street at Nutfield Lane and the same male approached her again from behind and grabbed her purse. He fled the area on foot.

The man was described as white, approximately 40- to 50-years-old, with salt and pepper hair, wearing blue jeans and a black coat with orange stripes on the sleeve.

Police say the crimes are similar in nature, but they do not appear to be connected based on the two descriptions.

The parking garage is located behind a large Elm Street apartment building operated by Red Oaks Property management. The garage is utilized by many people attending events at the Palace Theatre, and nearby restaurants such as the 110 Grille located in the same building.

“As part of our CompStat360 initiative, we are releasing this information to keep the public informed and up to date regarding crimes of concern in Manchester,” Chief Allen Aldenberg said. “Our Officers and Detectives are working to identify and apprehend these individuals. This summer, MPD has dedicated more resources to the downtown area and we will continue providing a high level of presence in the downtown area with foot, bicycle, and vehicle patrols. We also encourage residents and visitors to report suspicious activity to the police department and, as always, take common-sense personal safety measures.”

“Over the past three years, we’ve worked to add more officers to the Manchester Police Department and have allocated more resources to the downtown area through community policing and traffic enforcement,” Mayor Joyce Craig said. “I appreciate the hard work and data-driven approach of the MPD and encourage anyone who sees anything concerning to report the issue to the police department.”

If you have any information on either of these robberies, you are asked to call Manchester Police at 603-668-8711. You can also call the Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040.