St. Paul police are investigating a string of recent robberies in the Como area, in which people were knocked to the ground and assaulted.

The cases “share very similar circumstances and investigators are looking into whether they are related and involve the same suspects,” said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman. He said on Wednesday there hadn’t been arrests.

On Monday, a 55-year-old woman was walking around the southwest side of Como Lake at 6 a.m. when she was suddenly pushed down from behind. There were two suspects who slapped her in her face when she was on the ground, and who rifled through her jacket pockets and stole her keys. They ran away.

Last Thursday, a 40-year-old man walking by the lake in the area of Como Lake Drive and Lakeview Avenue, also about 6 a.m., reported a dark-colored sport-utility vehicle with an older boxy style stopped behind him. Two males exited and approached.

One struck him in the torso with a bat or club, causing him to fall to the ground, and then punched him in the face. The other demanded his cell phone, which they fled with in the vehicle.

The suspects were described as 18- to 20-years-old, African American, 5 feet 10 inches to 5 feet 11 feet tall and approximately 180 pounds. One was wearing a gray hooded jacket and the other a black jacket with a mask covering part of his face.

Also on Thursday, three males robbed a 55-year-old man who was walking in an alley near St. Albans Street and Orange Avenue about 1:35 p.m.

A white Dodge pulled up and four males got out. One said “hi” and then the other suddenly suddenly “jumped” the man, Ernster said. They punched and kicked him several times as he fell to the ground, and the man sustained a welt to his forehead.

The suspects reached into his pockets, stole his wallet and left in the car.

A witness who called 911 estimated they were 18- to 20-years-old, and said one had dreadlocks and glasses.

Police have increased patrols in the area around Como Lake and are asking people to call police if they see suspicious behavior, Ernster said.

City Council Member Amy Brendmoen, who represents the area, wrote in neighborhood Facebook groups that she shares “concerns about the increase in reports of random attacks and strong armed robberies in our neighborhoods and around public spaces.”

She said she’s talked to police and heard “these types of attacks have been increasing over the past year or so, and have been happening in all areas of the city. They are not a COVID-19-specific crime, BUT there has been a spike since school has been out.”