Watch CBS News

Wanted: Suspect Of 4 Violent Crimes Near Patterson Park

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Several southeast Baltimore neighborhoods are on edge after experiencing a wave of crime in just a matter of days. From robberies to a deadly shooting, the violence has alarmed people living near Patterson Park.

Mike Hellgren is following the response from police and the community.

We're talking about several neighborhoods north of Patterson Park and also east in the Highlandtown neighborhood. There has been about a robbery a day in the area, but police are particularly concerned about a handful of violent crimes they believed are linked.

Police released the sketch above of a man they believe is behind four violent robberies in areas directly north and east of Patterson Park.

Two of the victims at 3700 Mt. Pleasant and another at the corner of N. Lakewood and E. Fairmount—a block from the park, were killed.  

"It's a black male in his 20s, average height, average weight, medium to dark complexion and that's all we have," said Major Terry McLarney, head of homicide.

McLarney wouldn't give much detail on the murders, but WJZ has learned the Mt. Pleasant victim was with some friends when robbed. He was killed while trying to run away.

A scared neighbor who saw the aftermath did not want his face shown, but said: "I just saw a dude laying on the ground right in the puddle, brains was leaking out. . . . That's why I don't stay out pass 12 o'clock because I know it could happen to me."

The victim on N. Lakewood was found on the street shot in the head.

George Oberle leaves across the street.

"The neighborhood is sort of looking out for theirselve than they used to," he said. You just gotta watch out where you're going and what you're doing."

"Looking at these crimes has a pattern because of geography and MO," said McLarney.

Police believe the man in the sketch has an accomplice, and they're also connected to robberies on N. Ellwood Avenue. One of the victims there was shot in the stomach.

"I had no idea this was going on and to find out that's it's so close to my son's school, I'm just shocked," said a neighbor.

"I believe that these four have enough of a commonality we can put these four together, and they're marked by violence that involves beating and shooting," McLarney said.

The victims were all innocent people who were pleading for their lives.

These violent crimes aren't happening within the boundaries of Patterson Park—just in the neighborhoods north and east of the park.

Police will be canvassing the neighborhood, posting sketches of the suspect in hopes that if anyone knows anything, he/she will tell a detective and police can try to solve these cases.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.