D.C. police are warning residents about wearing high-end fashion brands in public since they could invite attention from thieves.
A Metropolitan Police advisory dated Wednesday said robbers are targeting clothing items and sneakers from designer brands such as Amiri, Balenciaga, Dior, Lanvin and Louis Vuitton, according to local TV station WDVM.
Robbers regularly target children and teenagers, police said.
Last week, authorities said three students were robbed at gunpoint in Southeast for their Jordans and Balenciaga sneakers.
The suspect ran up to the students on Oct. 15 and brandished a gun before saying “Give me your s—- before I blow y’all.”
Police said the two students handed over their Jordan-brand sneakers which were both valued at over $200, while the Balenciaga sneakers cost over $1,100.
No arrest has been made in the case at this time.
A high schooler told local Fox affiliate WTTG that it’s normal for students to wear designer threads, and the robbers are taking notice.
“They know most of us will have expensive clothing on, so they’ll scout out, see who got it, and be on their way,” the student, who asked to remain anonymous, told the station.
MPD Sixth District Commander Jaron Hickman told WDVM that police are focusing patrols on streets where the stick-ups are more likely to occur.
The year-to-date stats show robberies in the District down nearly 40% from 2023, though that was the city’s most violent year in over a quarter-century.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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