DC police make arrests in 19 robbery cases

WASHINGTON - D.C. police have announced 19 armed robbery cases have been solved and 13 people have been arrested connected to these crimes.

These cases are commercial and street robberies - some of them violent.

Police are thanking the public for helping catch one alleged robber who they believe is connected to six of the robberies.

Police said 54-year-old Michael Williams has been charged with robbing businesses in Northeast and Northwest D.C. They said Williams would often approach employees with a note, make demands and threats and then make off with money.

Police also gave us a long list of other robberies across the District and the suspects they have arrested.

"It really is an all-out effort from all of the law enforcement agencies here in the city to try and stop this trend of robberies," said D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier. "Whether they are on the street, whether in the Metro or whether they are at the commercial establishments.

Police also released details about an 18-year-old and three other juveniles who were arrested after approaching people on the street with a handgun, assaulting them and then robbing them. They have all been arrested.

Lanier said these arrests prove a small number of people are committing a large number of robberies and a task force that has been formed to stop these types of crimes will continue.