Tulsa police say robberies on the rise

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa police say they've seen an increase in robberies this year, with parking lots being the favorite target of thieves.  Halfway through the month, Tulsa police reported 53 robberies, compared with 81 in all of last January.

Although some of the robberies have been home invasions, store and bank robberies, Tulsa police Sgt. Dave Walker says more have occurred in parking lots than anywhere else.

Of the 20 parking lot robberies, he says 14 involved a gun or knife, and the remaining six were by force but without a weapon.

The majority of the parking lot robberies have been at apartment complexes, and normally involve three to seven robbers.

During a robbery, Walker says the victim should comply with the robber's demands to avoid getting hurt.