Lincoln community left on high alert after multiple robberies

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- The Woods Park community is left on high alert following a string of recent burglaries and robberies at gunpoint.

On Monday, two robberies were reported in the areas of 35th and Randolph and 32nd and J streets within 10 minutes of each other.

One of the men had a backpack stolen from him, which was later found by Julie Hull and her husband who live a block away.

“We posted to the neighborhood group to see if there was anybody that was missing a backpack,” said Hull. “Right when we posted, somebody mentioned there was a robbery, and so we called the police right away.”

Hull said she does not usually go for walks in the evening, but will now be on high alert when choosing to do so.

Nora Martinez, who owns Black Sheep Cafe just a block from where the robberies happened, is usually working during late night hours, but her cafe was closed on the night of the robberies.

“It was really a shock whenever I had saw what had happened,” Martinez said. “Very thankful that we were not open.”

Martinez says Black Sheep Cafe has only been open for a couple months, and usually has positive interactions with neighbors in the community.

“It’s disheartening because this is a really beautiful neighborhood, there’s lots of beautiful people, and they’re very active in the community,” Martinez said. “It’s definitely hard thinking about what can happen.”

As tears rolled down her face, she said the robberies have reminded her of her priorities.

“I just want to come and live my dream, feed people good food, make good connections with people and go home to my kids.”