Two men who have posed as police to rob Pierce County fast-food restaurant managers apparently struck again over the weekend and may be ramping up their violence, authorities reported Monday.

Tacoma police believe the men robbed and sexually assaulted a woman heading home from her job at a Lakewood fast-food restaurant early Sunday. During the robbery, they also handcuffed her boyfriend and put him in the trunk of the car.

It is the first time a victim has been sexually assaulted during the robbery spree, and the apparent escalation in the robbers’ behavior has local law enforcement authorities concerned. Investigators from Tacoma police, Lakewood police and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department met Monday afternoon to discuss the incidents.

“It is a concern of ours,” Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said. “We are working with the other agencies to identify these suspects and get them off the streets.”

Investigators believe the two men are responsible for four incidents since early October.

In two of the cases, the bandits stopped fast-food managers leaving their stores shortly after closing, forced them back to their restaurants at gunpoint and robbed them. The robbers’ vehicle had red-and-blue flashing lights, police reported.

In a third incident, the robbers stopped a car and demanded the keys from the victim. The victim ran away, and the robbers left empty-handed.

The fourth and most recent incident occurred about 2:40 a.m. Sunday.

Two men followed a woman home from her job at a fast-food restaurant in Lakewood, Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said. In the 1900 block of East 56th Street, the men stopped the woman and her boyfriend and held them up at gunpoint.

After putting her boyfriend into the trunk, the two suspects demanded keys to the restaurant from the woman. When they realized she didn’t have them, the suspects took her to a nearby wooded area and raped her, police said.

The suspects then fled in a dark-colored vehicle.

Fulghum advised fast-food restaurant employees and others to be aware of their surroundings.

If you’re pulled over by what appears to be a law enforcement officer and are concerned for your safety, call 911 and report the stop to the communications center, Fulghum said. A dispatcher will be able to say whether the stop is being conducted by a police officer.

If not, dispatchers can send help, Fulghum said.

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com

blog.thenewstribune.com/crime

Reward offered

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to arrests and charges being filed in the recent robberies of area fast-food restaurant workers.

The robbers have been in vehicles described as a dark, newer model SUV and an older black Honda with tinted windows. The cars have red-and-blue lights on the dashboard.

Both robbers are described as thin white men, 20 to 25 years old and about 5-feet-8. They’ve been seen wearing dark-hooded sweatshirts, dark hats, bandannas and gloves. They’ve also been armed with handguns.

Tipsters can remain anonymous. Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.