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Dallas Police Arrest 5 During Serial Armed Robberies Investigation

UPDATE: Tuesday afternoon at approximately 2:40 pm two additional individuals were detained and brought to the Dallas Police Headquarters for questioning in regards to the recent string of robbery offenses. One of the individuals will be charge with four counts of Aggravated Robbery and the second suspect will be charge with two counts of Aggravated Robbery.

The first suspect who was brought in earlier and charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery will also be charged with an additional two Aggravated Robberies.

This investigation is ongoing and therefore the names of these arrestees will also not be released at this time.

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Tuesday morning Dallas police confirmed they took into custody, questioned and charged three people as part of their investigation into a string of violent armed robberies.

Deputy Chief Thomas Castro said one male will be charged with two counts of Aggravated Robbery and another male, who they have not confirmed actually committed any robberies, will be charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. That person was found driving a vehicle stolen during one of the recent robberies.

Chief Castro said a 3rd male, a juvenile, was also arrested but on unrelated charges.

Police aren't releasing any names or photos of those in custody because they say it could compromise their investigation.

Police say investigators had an idea the Latin male now being charged with two robberies was involved with the crimes and the other two males were with him when police moved in to take him into custody.

Before the arrests, Dallas police had made a connection between at least nine robberies and carjackings in their city and possibly two more in neighboring suburbs.

Homeowners describe a group of men with guns approaching them in their driveway or outside their home, robbing them of purses, wallets and cell phones, and in some instances stealing cars.

As police continue their investigation, victims of the crime ring have a warning for others to be vigilant.

Brianna Martinez says she takes precautions and tries to be aware of her surroundings after dark, but she still fell victim.

Martinez was walking from her car to her front door, around 6 p.m., when she was held at gunpoint and robbed. She says she was in front of her home when a group of men jumped out of a car, pinned her to the ground with a gun, and took her phone and purse.

"I'm just like everyone else. I'm your Average Joe. Why would you want to choose me out of everyone and violate my space to make me feel unsafe my own home?" she wonders.

Two masked men were caught on surveillance video at a Carrollton home where the owner was robbed over the weekend, but Dallas police say they aren't 100-percent sure that robbery is connected to the crime spree.

"We'll continue to seek other, surrounding agencies to see if they have any similar offenses," Chief Castro said.

The rash of robberies began with a carjacking in Red Oak last week. Since then, reports have come in from North Oak Cliff to East Dallas.

Police have also recovered several stolen vehicles that they believe were used and then ditched by the criminals.

Dallas police say more charges, against the individuals in custody and others, are possible.

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