The Gainesville Police Department is investigating multiple reports of purse snatching in the Gainesville area, a police spokesman said Wednesday.

The string of thefts started the first weekend of January, but “don’t seem to be centralized to any group or individual,” according to police.

The latest was Friday night in the parking lot of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, hospital spokesman Sean Couch confirmed.

Cpl. Joe Britte said people walking to their cars at night should be especially careful.

“It’s all about being vigilant,” he said. “Call a security escort if you need to.”

However, the crimes involved different people, locations and times of day, police noted — two of the robberies happened in broad daylight.

Jan. 18, on a Friday afternoon at the intersection of Central Avenue and Hazel Street, a pedestrian was robbed at gunpoint.

The next day, a pedestrian was robbed at the same intersection, although the suspect descriptions didn’t match, police reported.

“The investigations are ongoing,” Britte said. “(Investigators are) working diligently to piece together all the information.”

Police ask anyone with information regarding the incidents to contact the Gainesville Police Department at 770-534-5254, or the Tips Line at 770-533-5873.