PATERSON — Three armed robberies occurred within a 30-minute span Monday night in Paterson, but authorities declined to say whether they think the crimes were committed by the same crew.
The first robbery happened at about 9:26 p.m. at a business on Main Street, just south of St. Joseph’s University Medical Center. The second took place at 9:40 p.m. on 5th Avenue near the rebuilt Riverside housing complex, and the third occurred at 9:56 p.m. at the Exxon station on Route 20 and 20th Avenue, authorities said.
In all three crimes, the victims told police they were robbed by three men brandishing guns, authorities said.
Paterson has endured a 14.2% increase in the number of robberies this year, according to the police department’s data. During the first 11 months of 2023, Paterson had 332 robberies, compared to 379 for the same time this year.
Authorities said the suspects in the initial robbery on Monday night entered a business at 799 Main Street and took $100 in cash, as well as a donation jar, before leaving.
The second victim told investigators he was approached by three men with guns near East 28th Street, police said. The man was able to escape inside his home without being harmed or having anything taken from him, police said.
The gas station robbery also involved three gunmen along with a driver, police said. In that crime, $261 in cash was stolen, police said.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the robberies to contact the Paterson Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 973-321-1120.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ had three armed robberies within 30 minutes Monday night