GaryAdrian wrote:And as they drag their feet, we are sitting ducks!
On Wednesday May 20, 2009 at approximately 9:50pm, two UH students were robbed by an unknown male at gunpoint. The incident occurred at different times and locations on the UH campus, in a continuous episode, in which both of the victims described the suspect as the same person. In the first incident the student reported that at about 9:50pm the male suspect approached him in UH Lot 1E and displayed a small frame semi automatic pistol and demanded his wallet. The student stated that he surrendered his cash from inside the wallet and the male suspect went to a waiting vehicle and entered into the passenger side, at which time the vehicle left the immediate area. The second student reported that the male suspect approached her in the Bayou Oaks Apartments courtyard, at about ten minutes later, and demanded her cellular phone and personal tote (containing a small amount of cash and a debit card). The second student advised that she observed the male suspect approach an awaiting vehicle in the Bayou Oaks North Parking Lot and left the immediate area. Neither of the students were injured in the incident.
This has got to stop! UH has done everything it can to stop these continuing crimes but it has not abated!
Chas,
Is there anything we can do?
Gary
I got this breaking news email on Tuesday:
BREAKING NEWS: UTPD investigate knife-robbery
UT Police officers are investigating a knife-point robbery that took place early Tuesday morning but have yet to identify the assailant.
An unidentified student was assaulted from behind, forced onto the ground on Inner Campus Drive between Gebauer and Painter Halls and robbed at knife-point.
The suspect, in his 30s, stole $425 in personal possessions including the student's backpack, cell phone, iPod and some textbooks, said Rhonda Weldon, a UTPD spokes woman.
Police officials are unclear as to who the assailant is, but are confident the person is not a UT student, Weldon said.
"UTPD typically would tell me," Weldon said. "That would be part of the description."
The student alerted UTPD officials using a police call box and informed them the robbery took place at around 3:45 a.m.
An investigation has been launched and UTPD investigators are working with the student to identify and locate the assailant. The exact circumstance in which the assailant found the student remains unclear.
The student was on their way to study early in the morning at which point the assailant either followed the student onto campus or saw him on campus. The assailant then grabbed the student from behind, displayed a knife and robbed him, Charles Bonnet, a UTPD Srgt overlooking the investigation, said.
"We are following all sorts of leads," Bonnet said. "We are looking into any surveillance footage as well as any witnesses."
In a campus-wide alert released around 6:20 a.m., the male assailant was described as dirty and dusty, being of medium build, having brown hair and wearing a camel colored jacket.
"The procedure is to notify the campus of the description and heighten awareness," Weldon said.
William Pieper, a crime prevention officer with UTPD stressed the importance of being aware of ones surroundings at all times. While there is no guarantee everybody on campus is a student or a UT faculty member, Pieper said he recommends students pay attention to their instincts, walk with others when moving around campus and being aware of all one?s senses.
Pieper said being distracted by listening to music, texting or talking on a cell phone can increase the ease with which an assailant can assault you. If assaulted or threatened, Pieper said it is best if one complies rather than resist.
"Nothing is worth more than your life," Pieper said.
