University officials are advising students to take greater care in guarding their possessions after a slew of robberies near campus within the past week and a half.
A campus-wide broadcast e-mail sent yesterday evening reported three robberies over the weekend in West Georgetown. It also reported a robbery in Burleith that took place on Oct. 7, though the incident was not reported to the Department of Public Safety until yesterday.
“These robberies are serious and cause for everyone to be aware of what is going on around them,” DPS Director Darryl Harrison said.
Two groups of students – two men and two women – were approached and robbed in separate incidents on 33rd Street Friday night at about 9 p.m, the e-mail said.
In the first incident, an assailant grabbed a woman’s hair, threatened her and put a gun to her head, before forcing her to give up her purse. Neither of the women were hurt, said David orrell, vice president for university safety.
The two male students were later walking together in the same area when they were accosted, Jeff Conahan (COL ’08), one of the students, said.
“There was a kid who looked like a pretty shady character in the shadows under a tree,” Conahan said. “He asked for the time and my friend gave it to him, and then we could hear him following us,” he said.
The assailant continued to follow them, and then was joined by two or three other young males, one of whom pointed what may have been a gun, Conahan said. He subsequently gave up his wallet.
“It appears from descriptions given [that we] may be dealing with the same group of assailants,” Morrell said.
Both Morrell and Harrison stressed the need for a greater etropolitan Police Department presence around campus.
“We will be meeting with [MPD] this week to talk to them about what can be done to intensify their uniformed and marked car patrols in West Georgetown and Reservoir,” Morrell said.
The incident has convinced Conahan to be more careful around campus.
“Obviously you get these e-mails all the time, usually at three, four o’clock in the morning,” he said. “The most frightening part was that it was early – not even nine – and none of us had been drinking. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.”
No one has been apprehended, and MPD is still investigating, orrell said.
Another student was robbed early Sunday morning while walking by himself at 36th and P Streets, the broadcast e-mail said. A single assailant struck him of the head with an object that he did not see, according to the e-mail.
Harrison and Morrell stressed that both students and faculty need to take precautions to remain safe.
“Unfortunately, [the robberies] may continue. That is why it is important to get a message out to students, faculty and staff to be aware” Harrison said.
Morrell suggested that students use SafeRides, a university-sponsored effort to transport students safely to their homes at night, and walk in groups on the busiest and best-lit streets. If students are robbed, they should comply with the assailants’ demands, he said.
“I would also advise students don’t carry a lot of cash with you. If these robbers get a lot of money, they’re coming back,” Morrell added.