The Turlock Police Department is investigating two robberies that both involved a group of male suspects.

The investigations are in the early stages and it is not yet known if the two robberies are related.

The first robbery was reported around 6 p.m. Friday.

The victim was riding his mountain bike on the High Street side of Columbia Park when several males that had been seated on the park benches got up and started chasing him, said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Michael Parmley.

The victim was able to ride away, but the suspects got into a dark-colored sports utility vehicle and caught up to him in the area of Castor and Lane streets.

A passenger in the SUV pointed a handgun at the victim and told him not to move, Parmley said.

“Two other passengers got out of the SUV and one successfully punched him, while the other passenger missed,” Parmley said.

During the assault one of the suspects ripped off a chain from the victim’s neck. The victim was able to get away, but left his bicycle and other property behind.

The victim was injured, but the injuries were not considered life-threatening.

There was a witness to the incident but at this point the suspects have not been identified at this time.

The second robbery happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the 1800 block of Lander Avenue.

The victim was walking southbound on the sidewalk on Lander Avenue. As he passed by the Arco AM/PM, he was struck by a pickup truck traveling at an estimated speed of 10 miles per hour, Parmley said.

The force of the impact knocked the victim to the ground. He later told investigators that three white males got out of the truck and he heard one of them say “grab his stuff and let’s leave.”

“When the victim was able to stand up, he realized some items in his possession were missing,” Parmley said.

The victim walked home and then reported the incident to the police department. He was transported to a local hospital for his injuries, which were not life-threatening.

Investigators are looking at video from a nearby business in an attempt to identify the suspects.

Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to contact the police department’s tip line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.