ST. LOUIS — Investigators say around 5 Friday morning, a 44-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man were sitting in their car at 16th and Pine in the Downtown West Area near popular Washington Avenue.
The couple told police that out of the blue three men who they'd never seen before approached them, announced a robbery and pulled out guns.
The robbers stole the woman's cellphone and quickly took off.
Hours before and just a couple blocks away, another pair was targeted. A 32-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man told police shortly after 2 Thursday morning they were outside smoking in the parking lot of their home in the 1700 block of Washington Avenue.
Within moments, the victims said four males pulled up in a black car. Three of them wore masks.
Police said all four hopped out of the car and whipped out guns.
The couple said the robbers "went through their pockets, stole their wallets, cellphones and car key" and sped off.
"I think it's horrible. I think it's scary and I think nobody should have to worry about that especially where they reside," said Kelly King, who has lived in the Downtown West area for three years. "A lot of people come down here. There are hotels down here and lots of vacationers. That's just really sad to hear about those crimes."
Police said the victims in both crimes were not hurt.
Investigators are still trying to figure out if the same people committed both armed robberies.
"It is shocking, especially because it happened right outside. Right outside my doors," said Madison Patrick.
Patrick just moved into a loft building on Wash Ave a month ago.
She said burglars entered the unlocked gate overnight and broke into at least four cars, including her boyfriend's.
Thieves shattered the rear window on his car.
"Since we just moved, we had some boxes and stuff so we have to recount, but for sure I know a fishing bow was stolen. It's crazy," Patrick added.
"At this point, just exasperation. At a certain point you just get burnt out about all of it," said Gelasia Corday, who also lives in the neighborhood.
According to 5 On Your Side data, so far this year there have been 29 shootings downtown.
Two of those were homicides.
There were nineteen shootings in the Downtown West area, and five of them were homicides.
If you know anything about the latest armed robberies, call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.