Police: Women Robbed During Series Of Attacks At Bus Stops In Newark

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The search is on for violent robbers targeting women at bus stops in Newark.

At least two women were mugged Monday morning, police told CBS2.

In one incident, the suspect got out of a car and robbed the victim at a Kinney Street bus stop, investigators said.

The other victim was punched and held at gunpoint before the suspect took off with her purse, CBS2 learned.

CBS2's Christine Sloan spoke to one of the victims exclusively.

"It was extremely scary. It was extremely scary because I was not expecting they were coming for me," the woman said.

"There were two vehicles that pulled up. A young kids jumped out of the car and attacked me, punched me ... we fought back and forth."

Sources told Sloan a champagne-colored car that was reported stolen and possibly an SUV were ditched by the suspects in Irvington, after they had terrorized women at several locations, including Custer Place and Chancellor Avenue.

When asked if the assailants were armed, the woman said, "They did not have a gun, but the physical abuse was enough."

The incidents were similar to a series of armed robberies last month when four women were targeted in four separate incidents in one morning in Newark. In each case, the victims told police they were approached by a car occupied by four men and then robbed at gunpoint.

"I do think we need to be warned. Had I known this was the experience women were going through I certainly would have taken more precautions," the woman said.

She said her phone and Port Authority identification were stolen, and that it took police an hour to respond.

"I called 911 at 4:30 this morning and I had to make an additional call, which is about 5:30," she said.

The Newark Police Department didn't immediately respond to CBS2 questions about the response time.

The officers' union said the city is still reeling from the layoffs of 2010, with the president adding, "I think the administration is aware of our need for more cops, and we currently have a class in the academy, but those reinforcements won't be ready for the street until the fall."

The victim told Sloan she's afraid to go out now.

"I could have been shot. I could have been raped," she said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newark Police Department's Crime Stoppers hotline at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477).