A man tried to rob a smartphone shop on the Payglop in central Alkmaar on October 18 at around 11:00. Police said he may have threatened staff with a firearm. No one was hurt, and the suspect fled, possibly towards the Breedstraat. Police issued a description through Burgernet and advised people not to approach him and to call 911.

A separate robbery was reported on October 23 at around 10:20 at a Used Products shop on the Dijk in Alkmaar. Police were looking for two suspects, described as boys of about 16 with dark skin who wore blue rain suits with a white stripe. They fled on foot. No one was hurt, and it was not yet known what had happened exactly or whether anything had been taken. People were asked not to approach the suspects and to call 911 with information.