Hispanic men have been targeted in a series of strong-arm street robberies in the Central Neighborhood of San Mateo, according to police Capt. Kevin Raffaelli.

Five incidents have occurred in the past five days, all between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., in a four-block radius of South Delaware and Cypress streets, according to San Mateo police.

“These incidents appear to be related as they all involve a Hispanic male adult walking or bicycling through the area, being accosted by a group of African American male suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts,” Raffaelli said in a statement.

Some of the crimes involved physical assaults; others just consisted of grabbing and restraining the victim while removing cash and property from them, according to Raffaelli.

Police are using plain clothes surveillance and have increased patrols of the area. Neighborhood Watch groups and the neighboring residents have been notified and police encourage the community to be aware of their surroundings.

The victims in these cases were unable to get a full description of the suspects and police are asking for the public’s help in this matter. Please contact the San Mateo Police Department Investigations Unit at 522-7650 or the Secret Witness Line at 522-7676 if you have any information.