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KCMO man attacked while taking out his dog

Posted at 7:48 PM, Feb 03, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-03 20:48:55-05

Police noticed a pattern when it came to armed robberies, especially in the Midtown area. The victim was alone, often on a side street in an area that's not well lit.

Gary Cook lives in northeast Kansas City but was brutally beaten when he was just trying to let his dog inside.

"I had my dog out here, he came back out here near the steps, the first thing I wanted to do was grab him and get him inside," Cook said.

Before Cook could get his dog inside, he said two people attacked. "I was feeling real dizzy from them hitting me in the head. I come out of it and they headed straight for the one in the kitchen, and that's when I got hit the most."

Police haven't caught the suspects yet, but this kind of violent robbery has investigators and residents on edge.

Police believe armed robberies, particularly around Midtown, are related to two different gangs.

Stephanie Kogel, who lives in the city's Southmoreland neighborhood, remarked, "It's terrifying, especially being a small girl. I feel like I could defend myself slightly adequately. But if it's an armed robbery, it just makes you feel very vulnerable when you shouldn't feel like that."

Kogel runs around her neighborhood frequently but said recent reports of targeted attacks makes her think twice. "Honestly, there's bad people everywhere and there is nothing you can really do expect for trying to be aware and trying to be prepared."

While not every robbery in the city may be linked to gang activity, the violence is unsettling.

Cook said, "One of them got mouthy and said, 'I oughta kill your dog, where's your money?'"

Police said when they get a report that matches the armed robbery pattern, they respond quickly and in full force.

To avoid being a target, police stress there's strength in numbers, so avoid walking alone.

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Shannon Halligan can be reached at shannon.halligan@kshb.com.

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