Milwaukee police catch armed robbers during "Op. Holiday Presence"

MILWAUKEE -- Burglars and armed robbers will try to kill your Christmas buzz. Milwaukee Police say it's happening all the time with many people out shopping and enjoying the holiday season. And on Thursday, officers caught a couple of people holding up a woman at gunpoint.

"He displayed a hand gun didn't actually point it at her but he displayed a handgun and he told her to keep walking," said Phillip Ferguson from Milwaukee Police.

Fortunately for the woman, officers were in close proximity to the area of 16th and Locust, and with the help of some people nearby, officers were able to make an arrest.

These types of crimes are considered by some officers as "crimes of opportunity."

"A lot of times people are alone they can be targeted," said Eileen Donovan-Hagnew from Milwaukee Police.

"They should be concerned about having money out, out in the open, they should be concerned with flashing money in a store," said Detective Todd Fischer from Milwaukee Police.

Because there's a spike in armed robberies during the holidays, Milwaukee Police put more officers on foot patrol as part of its "Operation Holiday Presence." Officers want people to be aware of their surroundings, especially if they are alone. Fischer said it's especially important if the person has headphone in, or is playing with their cell phone while walking.