Several victims robbed in broad daylight on Milwaukee's east side

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee police are investigating a string of armed robberies that happened in broad daylight on Milwaukee's east side Wednesday, Sept. 29. 

Police say just after 12:45 p.m., at least five incidents occurred in the area of Hackett Avenue and Park Place, one block east from Downer Avenue. 

According to police, the armed suspects approached several victims and stole property. 

This is a quiet, upscale area with remodeled vintage homes. We talked to a couple on the block who's lived there for 36 years. After what they went through Wednesday, it will be difficult to look at the neighborhood the same.

Gary and Cindy Nosacek were bringing groceries into their home on Hackett Avenue around 1 p.m. and paused by their garden while a couple of college girls walked by.

"And while we were looking at it, I felt a thud on the back of my back pocket. And I put my hand on it, and I heard this voice say 'give me your wallet,'" said Gary Nosacek.

"And he turned, and then I turned, and there's one guy pointing a gun at Gary and another guy pointing a gun at me," said Cindy Jones-Nosacek.

Three young men, all displaying handguns, walked up from across the street.

"At first you think to yourself, this isn't real," said Gary.

The Nosaceks said they believe the three gunmen may have been targeting the two young ladies before they went for them instead.

"It's stealing your sense of safety. I mean I come out here on weekends and I'm weeding my garden, and now I'm worried I can't turn my back on the street anymore," said Cindy.

Within minutes, the Nosaceks discovered their debit card had been used at a nearby GameStop.

"So I told the detective who was here," said Cindy.

Footage from inside GameStop shows three people a half hour after the robbery using the stolen debit card to purchase an Xbox One X. Then, just before 7 p.m., they return to buy an extra controller, and police were there to make the arrest.

"I feel bad for the kids, for the three of them, you know they're gonna end up with a criminal record for the rest of their life. For what, for some GameStop stuff?" said Cindy.

We're hearing the gunmen may have been responsible for as many as four other robberies on the east side Wednesday.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee police at (414) 935-7360 or Crime Stoppers at (414) 224-TIPS or P3 Tips App to remain anonymous.