ARRESTED: Five in custody after nearly a dozen armed robberies Monday morning

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Nearly a dozen robberies in just six hours! A Monday morning crime spree was stopped after a tip led police to the suspects. The thieves targeted people simply walking down the street in Milwaukee -- and police say they used a stolen van to get around.

Police say the thieves tried parking in an obscure spot in an alley near 23rd and Hadley -- but they were discovered shortly before 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 9th.

"Some citizens spotted a vehicle circling the area that appeared to be suspicious to them. This was the silver van that had been described in several of the firearm robberies," MPD Captain Eric Moore said.

Captain Moore says this group was apparently busy Monday morning.

Beginning around 4:00 a.m., there were a series of robberies around the city.

Police say the victims were often people who were walking down the street.

"It's approximately 11 robberies that we are investigating that we believe may be connected," Captain Moore said.

When police arrived near 23rd and Hadley on Monday morning -- they flooded the area but didn't initially make contact with the people inside the van.

"They called for reinforcements. Once there was a large enough contingent of police officers in the area, they attempted to make contact with the vehicle which still had occupants in it -- five occupants. The vehicle made an attempt to flee," Captain Moore said.

Police blocked the van in -- and the suspects then tried to run.

The suspects, however, were outnumbered by officers in position -- ready and waiting.

"All five were taken into custody right away," Captain Moore said.

Neighbors say they're relieved police were able to get the guys.

"I'm very proud that they caught them all," one neighbor said.

"People like that need to be off the street," another neighbor said.

Police were able to recover firearms and some of the items believed to be connected to the armed robberies Monday morning.

Police say the robberies happened in various areas on the far northwest side, the central city -- and police report at least once incident on the near south side.