Crime Alert Archive 2003

SPECIFICS: On Monday, November 17 at about 2am, a male student was approached by a suspect on Snow Way Drive near “The Village”. The suspect displayed a knife and demanded his wallet. The victim gave the suspect his wallet and the suspect fled into a car driven by a second suspect. The victim was not physically injured.

SUSPECT: Black male; late 20’s to early 30’s; 6 foot 2 to 6 foot 4 inches in height; 200 pounds; medium complexion; wearing a dark colored knit cap with light colored flecks, a dark blue bulky “down” jacket and dark colored pants.

SUSPECT
VEHICLE: Dark colored, older model (unknown make) with boxy rear-end and rectangular tail lights

PRECAUTIONS:
· Avoid walking or jogging alone and never walk or jog alone after dark.
· Always choose a well-lit path and avoid dark or vacant areas.
· Carry a whistle to summon help.
· Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction; go to the other side of the street and yell or whistle for help; or head quickly to a lighted area, a group of people, or an Emergency Telephone.
· If you are confronted by a thief, give them what they want and don’t chase them as they leave. Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to the Police.

RESPONSE: If you have any information about this suspect or if you see a suspicious person or someone you don’t believe should be in or around the building, contact the Washington University Police immediately at 935-5555 or via Blue Light Emergency Telephone.

SPECIFICS: At about 1am on Thursday, November 13, 2003, a resident of the 5900 block of Kingsbury was approached by a suspect who threw her to the ground and demanded money. She struggled with the suspect and a neighbor came to her assistance. The suspect fled the area on foot.

SUSPECT: Black male; 5 foot 9 inches in height; approximately 190 pounds; wearing a white or tan puffy jacket, dark colored stocking cap and dark pants.

PRECAUTIONS:
· Avoid walking or jogging alone and never walk or jog alone after dark.
· Always choose a well-lit path and avoid dark or vacant areas.
· Carry a whistle to summon help.
· Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction; go to the other side of the street and yell or whistle for help; or head quickly to a lighted area, a group of people, or an Emergency Telephone.
· If a thief confronts you, give them what they want and don’t chase them as they leave. Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to the Police.

RESPONSE: Report suspicious activities/persons immediately to the St. Louis Police Department at 9-1-1 or via Blue Light Emergency Telephone. Contact St. Louis Police if you have any information that might assist in this investigation.

This message is provided by the WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT as a way to alert Off Campus students to situations for which precautions should be taken. We each play an important role toward ensuring our own safety and that of our community.
Issued: November 13, 2003

SPECIFICS: At about 11pm on October 26, 2003, a student was parking a vehicle and was approached by a suspect who displayed a handgun and demanded her purse. She did not have a purse or wallet so the suspect took her cell phone and then fled on foot.

SUSPECT: Black male; late teens to early 20’s;slender build; medium height; wearing a skull type cap and a bandana across the lower portion of his face.

PRECAUTIONS:
· Avoid walking or jogging alone and never walk or jog alone after dark.
· Always choose a well-lit path and avoid dark or vacant areas.
· Carry a whistle to summon help.
· Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction; go to the other side of the street and yell or whistle for help; or head quickly to a lighted area, a group of people, or an Emergency Telephone.
· If a thief confronts you, give them what they want and don’t chase them as they leave. Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to the Police.

RESPONSE: Report suspicious activities/persons immediately to the University City Police at 9-1-1 or via Blue Light Emergency Telephone. Contact University City Police if you have any information that might assist in this investigation.

SPECIFICS: At approximately 1:30pm on Tuesday, October 14, a female student was using a bathroom stall in a restroom facility at Umrath Residence Hall. The victim observed a male in the adjacent stall and immediately alerted Police. A suspect was located nearby and arrested. The victim was not physically harmed. The suspect is not affiliated with the University and reports he was let into the residence hall by another person entering the building.

· Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to University Police at 5-5555 or go to the nearest emergency telephone.

· Never prop open exterior doors. If you see a door propped, close it.

· Don’t allow people you do not know to “tailgate” behind you into the building.

· LOCK YOUR ROOM DOOR whenever you leave, even if it’s for a short time. Also be sure and lock your door when you will be showering or sleeping.

RESPONSE: Report suspicious activities/persons immediately to the University Police at 935-5555 or via Blue Light Emergency Telephone. (Located at locations throughout campus.) Contact University Police if you have any information which might assist in this investigation.

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPT. 935-5555

This message is provided as a way to alert the Campus Community and Off Campus students to situations for which precautions should be taken. We each play an important role toward ensuring our own safety and that of our community.

TO: MEMBERS OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

SPECIFICS: During the past month there have been a series of bicycle thefts across campus. The most common targets have been bicycles that are not locked with the right type of security protection (such as a lightweight cable).

· Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to University Police at 5-5555 or go to the nearest emergency telephone.

· Always lock your bike to a bike rack in a visible and well-lighted area.

· Don’t leave a bicycle unlocked ever!

· Don’t lock your bike to itself (the front wheel locked to the frame).

· “Lease/purchase” a Kryptonite Lock from the Washington University Police Department. They are available for $20 and may be direct billed to your account. For more information call 935-5084.

Report suspicious activities/persons immediately to the University Police at 935-5555 or via Blue Light Emergency Telephone. (Located at locations throughout campus.) Contact University Police if you have any information that might assist in this investigation.

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPT. 935-5555

SPECIFICS: At about 4:15am on October 1, 2003, a student was walking in the 6000 block of Pershing when he was approached by a suspect who demanded his wallet. The suspect threatened to shoot him if he did not comply; however no weapon was displayed. The suspect fled after obtaining the wallet.

SUSPECT: Black male; late teens to early 20’s; 5’9-5’10; 160-170 pounds; curls in the front of his hair; wearing a sport coat.

· Avoid walking or jogging alone and never walk or jog alone after dark.

· Always choose a well-lit path and avoid dark or vacant areas.

· Carry a whistle to summon help.

· Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different direction; go to the other side of the street and yell or whistle for help; or head quickly to a lighted area, a group of people, or an Emergency Telephone.

· If a thief confronts you, give them what they want and don’t chase them as they leave. Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to the Police.

SPECIFICS: Between 2-4pm on Thursday September 25, 2003, suitemates of Hurd Residence Hall reported items taken from their suite. Witnesses provided the following description of a woman seen in the suite during the time who is believed to have been accompanied by a male (also described below). These suspects may also have been seen near trash dumpsters.

SUSPECT #1: White female, 40+ years of age, medium build, gray or dirty blond hair (medium length), possibly missing teeth, wearing a red or pink shirt and clean white tennis shoes.

· Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to University Police at 5-5555 or go to the nearest emergency telephone.

· LOCK YOUR ROOM DOOR whenever you leave, even if it’s for a short time. Also be sure and lock your door when you will be showering or sleeping.

· Never prop open exterior doors. If you see a door propped, close it.

· Don’t allow people you do not know to “tailgate” behind you into the building.

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPT. 935-5555

TO: MEMBERS OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

SPECIFICS: The St. Louis region has experienced increased motor vehicle thefts and break-ins. Some suspects in vehicle break-ins have stated their intent when entering the cars was to search for ignition keys left behind by the owner. In many of these cases tools or other force has been used to “punch out” the door lock in order to gain entry to the vehicle.

· Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to University Police at 5-5555 or go to the nearest emergency telephone.

· Take all keys to your vehicle with you.

· Do not leave expensive property such as CD’s, purses, radar detectors, cellular telephones and portable stereos in plain view in your vehicle. Lock them in your trunk or take them with you.

· If you hear a vehicle alarm, contact Police immediately.

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPT. 935-5555