DETROIT – Wayne State University issued an alert Friday to students, staff and faculty
Authorities said officers responded to an armed robbery at about 12:05 a.m. at Warren and Second avenues. A 23-year-old student told police she was robbed by two men outside of the Biological Sciences Building.
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The student said she was walking south when she saw the men sitting on benches. She said the men jumped up from the bench and pointed a gun-shaped object covered with a black T-shirt at her.
One of the men grabbed onto her green, canvas drawstring backpack and demanded it. After struggling for about 10 seconds to retain her bag, the student released it and both men fled west on Warren Avenue.
The student was not injured.
One of the men was described as black, between 25 and 30 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches tall, and was wearing a navy blue jacket and dark baggy pants. The second man was described as black, 25 to 30 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches tall with a rounded face, and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark baggy pants.
From WSU:
Be Aware of Your Surroundings:
Police Officers use this term frequently. It means nothing more than simply being aware of what is going on around you and whether or not that activity is normal and expected for the setting. If something seems strange, unusual or suspicious, you are asked to contact the WSU Police immediately at 313-577-2222. Officers will be dispatched immediately to check out the activity.
Notice Other People:
Look at the people around you, not just a momentary casual glance, but take a good look. Notice if they just glance at you (a normal reaction when making eye contact with a stranger) or if they are watching you. If you notice that they are paying more than momentary attention to you, that may be a red flag that you are about to be targeted.
Open Display of Valuables:
The open display of valuables, including jewelry, cash, and/or high end electronics (including cell phones, iPads, iPhones, etc.) in public places could be just the information a potential thief needs to target you as his next victim.
Trust Your Instincts:
If someone makes you feel uneasy, trust your instincts and act accordingly. Whether indoors or out, change directions and proceed to areas where other people may be around.
Assess Your Own Vulnerability:
Strangers aren't out to attack YOU. It is nothing personal, they are just looking for the easiest target of opportunity. Your goal, therefore, is to look like somebody who will be too much trouble to mess with. They also want to make you their victim without attracting attention from others. Make it a point, wherever you go, to stay in areas where other people are present. As soon as you enter an area where no one else is around, your guard and defenses should be on alert.
Attitude:
Keep your head up. Look at your surroundings and be aware of them. Headphones may give the impression that you are less aware, as well as being completely engaged in a cell phone conversation.
To reduce your chances of becoming a robbery victim, we recommend you routinely walk in areas where you can see others and others can see you.
Robbery perpetrators, like any other criminal, don't want to be caught "in the act" of robbing someone. They prefer areas where neither potential victims nor witnesses will see them. By staying in populated areas, you increase your chances of never being selected for this type of crime.
Whether you are in the city or the suburbs and you find yourself confronted by a robber, the most important thing that you can do during the incident is to prevent, if possible, any violence. Always assume the robber is armed, even if you can’t see a weapon, and act accordingly. If you are the victim of a robbery consider these important tips:
• Get it over with quickly. Chances are if you stall, the robber will get nervous and may be more prone to violence.
• Nothing you have or own is worth getting hurt for. Valuables can be replaced, you cannot.
• Do what the robber asks, but do not volunteer to do anything more. Move quickly, but carefully to give the robber exactly what they want.
• Do not fight or try any impulsive heroics. The risks are high if the robber is armed.
• Do not volunteer to go anywhere with the robber or allow them to take you anywhere. The odds are heavily against you if you allow them to take you to a secondary crime scene where they have more privacy and more control over you.
• Do not chase the robber. Carefully note their physical description and the direction they flee in. If they have a vehicle, note its type, make, color and license plate if possible.
• If you have the opportunity to flee, do so immediately. The robber wants your property most of all. Drop it or throw in one direction, then run in the opposite direction, to any area where there may be other people around.
• Call the Wayne State University Police immediately at 313-577-2222.
CELL PHONE THEFTS
A very popular item with thieves is your smart phone or iPhone. Theft of cell phones (either left unattended or forcibly taken from you by a stranger) can occur both on campus, in surrounding in the MidTown area, or in the community you call home.