Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Alumnus Attacked In Local Home

Three assailants were arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department last week after they allegedly and broke into the 33rd Street home of a Georgetown alumnus and tied him up.

Richard Austin Heafey (COL ’05) was at home Tuesday night when he heard a knock at his door a little after 10 p.m., according to an MPD incident report.

When Heafey opened the door, a man produced a handgun and forced him to back away from his door. The suspect then entered the house and bound and blindfolded Heafey. With Heafey tied down, the suspect and two other men entered the house. It is not know if anything was stolen from Heafey’s house. All of the suspects were arrested by MPD shortly after the robbery and none are affiliated with Georgetown.

The were identified by prosecutors as Islam Muhammod, Kalim uhammod and Matthew Volpe.

It is unclear why the robbers targeted Heafey’s home, which is tucked above street level in a condo unit with several neighbors close by. The house has a security camera clearly visible above his door.

Heafey could not be reached for comment.

The MPD report did not say whether Heafey was injured during the burglary.

The university’s Department of Public Safety has not investigated the case, but Vice President for University Safety David Morrell said that he has been especially concerned about area crime following recent muggings and robberies in West Georgetown, including the shooting of a female student on 33rd Street in February.

“Certainly, we have an interest in the case,” said orrell.

Following last month’s off-campus shooting, university safety officials sent out a public safety alert and held a town hall meeting in Sellinger Lounge to address student safety concerns.

University officials did not send out a public safety alert after the robbery at Heafey’s apartment because Heafey is not a current student and because the suspects had been captured by police so there was no ongoing threat to the community, Morrell said.

Despite continued off-campus crime where many students live, some remain unconcerned about their safety. Jonathan Olbrych (NHS ’07), who recently signed a lease to live on Prospect Street next year, said he wasn’t worried about recent crime.

“[Prospect is] still the best place to live off campus in terms of location and convenience,” Olbrych said. “So I wasn’t about to pass on a chance to live there.”

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