According to Prince George's County police, muggings have been on the rise in District 4, even while rates have dropped countywide, and in some communities such as Birchwood City and Allentown Road, Hispanics and older residents have been targeted.

"We do see an increase in immigrant communities," said Maj. Andy Ellis, the chief spokesman for the Prince George's County Police Department. "In many of the countries where our immigrants come from, they don't trust the police."

Ellis said county police have had some difficulty in investigating crimes in immigrant communities because of language and cultural barriers. Some immigrant communities are reluctant to use banks, making these residents more likely to carry cash — and likely targets.

So far this year in police District 4 there have been 183 citizen robberies, or muggings, compared with 171 during the same period in 2008. Police do not keep specific records of victims' race and age.

Countywide, there were 747 muggings so far this year, compared with 825 during the same period in 2008.

The numbers are of particular concern to county authorities because muggings make up the majority of robberies throughout the county.

Police in Forest Heights and throughout District 4 say the rise in muggings typically centers around major transit routes leading to Washington, D.C., such as Indian Head Highway/Route 210 and Branch Avenue/Route 5 and in densely populated areas.

But police also say those areas, and certain groups within them, may be hit hardest because of population shifts, including the rising Hispanic population.

"We have seen an increase in Hispanic victims because we have seen an increase in the Hispanic population," said Maj. Garry Cunningham, commander of the District 4 station. "What [robbers] look for is opportunity, it doesn't matter what [ethnicity] they are."

Police are warning residents to be vigilant in their neighborhoods. Cunningham said that muggers tend to be in their late teens to early 20s and mostly case their targets before attacking.

The feeling of having to look over one's shoulder is one all too familiar for Roque Canas, 20, a Salvadoran American who said that twice since late 2006 his family has been robbed at gunpoint in front of their Oxon Hill home.

"It does surprise me — [robbers] are targeting random people, and you don't know what they're capable of," he said. "They assume we carry cash on us because we're Hispanic."

Canas said he worries about his mother who often comes home late from her job as a restaurant owner and his sister and her young children.

"Now I am going back to my old habits — looking for people standing around or sitting in cars," he said.

At a recent town meeting in Forest Heights, police warned residents of the increase in muggings, saying that elderly people were also common targets.

"People are just doing crazy things," said Cpl. Calvin Washington, a Forest Heights officer. "The disturbing thing is that I heard a citizen watch a man get robbed, punched in the face and [they just went] inside [their home]."

Ellis said that the economy has played a roll in the rise of robberies as people are becoming more desperate, he said, county-wide, that he is seeing more first-time offenders.

To combat robberies, District 4 police have stepped up their efforts in patrols and have coordinated efforts with community groups as well as the Metropolitan police in the District, which often sends crime into south county. Cunningham said the district rearranged its beat police so that officers now cover specific crimes — such as robberies — so officers will develop specialties.

"We're seeing some dividends from the efforts we're using," he said.

Prince George's County Police have issued advice for anyone that is involved in a robbing or mugging.

If a robber displays a gun, consider it loaded.

Do not resist. If a robber confronts you, cooperate. Don't risk physical harm.

Try to remain calm and alert. Tell the robber if you need to make any sudden moves. Tell the truth to all questions asked.

Try to observe as much as possible during the robbery without being obvious. The description of the suspect can be crucial in making an arrest. Look for race, age, sex, facial characteristics (mustache, glasses), clothing, speech and other identifiers such as scars, tattoos, jewelry, etc.

Activate alarms only if it will not endanger lives.

Try to get a description of the vehicle used in the escape and a direction of travel. This information helps police responding to the scene of the robbery. Do not attempt to follow the robbers.