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In each case, a black woman -- described as 5-foot-6 with a medium build, mediumcomplexion and long, braided hair -- approaches a Hispanic male and offers or performs sexual favors, setting the victim up for attack by two male suspects, Tanner said.
The woman, who has been seen driving a newer model Toyota Camry with dual exhausts and South Carolina license plates, also has offered victims a car ride home before the attack occurs, according to a Sheriff's Office news release.
The first reported case occurred Wednesday night when a Hispanic male was confronted by a black woman at the Sunoco station in Northridge plaza on Hilton Head Island, Tanner said. The man got into the woman's car, and then two men robbed him, Tanner said.
The two other cases occurred Friday night.
Just after 8 p.m., deputies responded to Mathews Drive and Cardinal Road where a 43-year-old man said he was robbed at gunpoint.
"In this particular case, we believe the same black female driving a dark blue sedan approached a Hispanic male," Tanner said. "Prostitution was apparently part of the conversation. Then two black male codefendants robbed the male of his pants and struck him with stick and gun."
The victim, stuck in the head and legs, was knocked to the ground, according to a Sheriff's Office news release. He was transported to Hilton Head Hospital. The Sheriff's Office did not release his name or medical condition.
The third reported case occurred in conjunction with a shooting on Mathews Drive.
At about 11:15 p.m. Friday, deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim at the intersection of U.S. 278 and Mathews Dr. A motorist called 911 after seeing a male victim lying on the ground, bleeding.
The victim, a 32-year-old Hilton Head Island resident, sustained several gunshot wounds to the leg and abdomen. He told deputies he was walking down Mathews Drive when two black men wearing black clothing demanded his wallet and attempted to grab it. When he refused, he was shot several times, according to a news release.
Tanner said the man was first approached by the female suspect and then robbed and shot by the male suspects. He is recovering at Savannah's Memorial University Medical Center, said Cpl. Robin McIntosh, the Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
"It appears they are targeting Hispanic males," Tanner said. "And prostitution seems to be the lure that ends up in robbery and injury. ... We need to alert not only the Hispanic community, but those who employ a large portion of our Hispanic community to warn them about this particular similarity because we may have other victims that did not report."
The Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to contact Investigator Sgt. A. Viens at 843-842-4111 ext. 258 or the dispatch center at 843-524-2777.
"We've had three cases that are absolutely connected, and it's imperative we alert the public this is a profile," Tanner said. "If you are approached by a black female prostitute, run for the hills and get as much information as you can and notify law enforcement as soon as possible."
