Since Jan. 1, DeKalb has had three robberies reported.

“We don’t believe these cases are related,” said DeKalb Police Lt. Jim Kayes.

It’s not a good idea to be out on foot alone at night, Kayes said, especially if you’ve been drinking.

If a stranger approaches you and starts up small talk, you should be highly cautious, Kayes said.

One victim was walking her pit bull puppy through Amber Manor Apartments, 807 Ridge Drive, when a man attacked her and tried to take the dog, police said. She was not seriously injured.

The victim described the suspect as a Hispanic male around 5’8″ and 30 years old.

The suspect did not take the puppy, but did grab the victim’s purse and took items from it before fleeing on foot, Kayes said.

“A pit bull puppy is worth a lot of money,” Kayes said. “The suspect might have wanted to resell it or even use it for dog fighting,” which has been reported in Chicago, and now as close as Rockford.

Another victim reported being robbed at 200 W. Locust St. while walking home with a guitar and keyboard from a party when he was approached by three white males, Kayes said.

One crowbar-wielding suspect made threats, but no one was seriously injured, Kayes said.

The latest robbery occurred at 3 a.m. Monday at 200 N. 10th St.

The victim said he was walking from his car to work when two white males approached him and robbed him, Kayes said.

The case is under investigation, Kayes said.