The crimes continue against the Hispanic community after two Hispanics were approached and robbed by four black males at the intersection of Taylor Avenue and 6th Street in Live Oak Monday night, Live Oak Police Det. Sgt. Ron Shaw said.

“Officers found during the investigation that two Hispanic males had gone to the S&M Convenient Store located at 815 W. Howard Street in Live Oak. After purchasing beverages they began walking home on 6th Street,” he said.

Shaw said as they neared the intersection at Taylor Avenue at about 9:45 p.m., four suspects, all dressed in black, approached them and demanded money.

“The victims stated they remember seeing the suspects at the S&M store when they were leaving,” said Shaw. “As they demanded money, one suspect punched one victim in the nose.”

Shaw said another suspect then took the victim’s wallet from his pocket.

Shaw said the second victim ran from the area and threw his wallet into some bushes on the side of the road.

“That victim was able to elude the suspects,” he said. “Officers later found his wallet where he said he threw it and nothing was reported missing.”

Shaw said an undetermined amount of cash was taken from the first victim when they stole his wallet, which has not been recovered.

Four home invasion robberies have occurred within the city since mid-April. Shaw said those and this crime is considered a hate crime because they target the Hispanic community.

The LOPD reports there are similarities in all of the robberies and suspects the same group is responsible for all the crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LOPD at 386-362-7463 or Crime Stoppers at 386-208-8477.