DENVER -- Despite the potential danger to people in downtown Denver, a police source, on a condition of anonymity, told CALL7 Investigators that the Denver Police Department was withholding information about a series of attacks and assaults that have occurred in roughly the same area in the past two months.

Sources told the CALL7 Investigators that a special FBI task force out of Washington, D.C., is working with Denver police to try and solve the crimes -- which have been random but violent.

Denver police sat on the information for weeks without notifying the public and only did so after learning 7NEWS was investigating, the source said.

On Thursday, Denver police admitted that they are investigating a "pattern of assaults and robberies in central Denver."

"We have to have a pattern of behavior," said police spokesman Sonny Jackson when asked why police waited so long to release the information.

Police said 14 assaults and robberies have been reported between July 20 and Aug. 30. The assaults have occurred west of Downing Street to the Platte River and north of 13th Avenue to 30th Avenue. The majority of these crimes have occurred between 10 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. and appear to be related, Denver police said.

"In each of the cases a lone male victim was walking in the area when attacked by multiple suspects. The suspects are generally described as black males and black females, with ages ranging from mid-teens to mid-20s," Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said.

The police news release about the assaults came less than three hours after the CALL7 Investigators filed an open records request asking for information about assaults, robberies, and attempted robberies in Denver police District 6 in the past two months.

Detectives also believe there may be four other unreported assaults which occurred at the following locations:

1500 block of Broadway on Aug. 7, approximately 10:40 p.m.

16th and Champa Street on Aug. 23, approximately 2 a.m. (2 assaults)

20th and Blake Street on Aug. 30, approximately 12:30 a.m.

Victims of these unreported crimes are encouraged to contact the Denver Police Department at (720) 913-6050. Anyone with information related to assaults in the area is requested to contact the Denver Police Department at 720-913-2000 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Police Provide Safety Tips

Be aware of your surroundings.

Walk only on busy, well-lighted streets, even if it makes the trip a little longer.

Avoid short cuts such as parking lots, alleys, or parks.

Don't accept rides with strangers or distant acquaintances.

If someone in a vehicle asks for directions, keep back far enough where you can't be grabbed.

If you feel you are being followed, cross the street or go the other way. Walk toward lights and people.

If you are being followed by a vehicle, turn and run in the opposite direction. The driver will have to turn around before he can continue following you.

When returning home, have your key out and ready to unlock the door.