Crime Alert

The University Police Department is investigating reports of three robberies that occurred on campus in the last six weeks.  One undergraduate student reported to University Police that he was robbed at gunpoint on March 29 and also robbed approximately one month earlier.  In another case, University Police learned that an anonymous undergraduate student reported to a University staff member that he was robbed in a campus parking lot on March 24.  That student, who did not provide an exact location for the incident, has chosen not to speak with police.

University Police investigators are working closely with the Winston-Salem Police Department.  They are also seeking information from anyone who may be able to assist in the investigation.

Meanwhile, University Police will begin immediately operating the University gatehouses on University Parkway and Reynolda Road from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.  The Polo Road entrance will be closed during those hours.  Police have also increased security in the southern area of campus and are evaluating additional measures.

In the case involving two robberies of one student, the late February incident occurred when two unidentified men in a car approached the student as he walked at approximately 6 p.m. on Faculty Drive heading from the Welcome Center to Babcock Residence Hall.  The student said one man pulled him into the car.  The men, who were armed with a pistol, demanded money.  The student said he gave them money and they let him out of the car.  He did not specify how much money he handed over to the robbers.  He also did not provide an exact date for the incident.

That student said that he was robbed again on March 29, at approximately 6 a.m. at his Babcock Residence Hall room.  Initially, a man came to his door and demanded marijuana.  Minutes later, another man came to his door, armed with a pistol, and demanded all of his marijuana.  The student said he gave marijuana to both men.

In the Faculty Drive incident, the student described one robber as a black male, standing about 6 feet five inches tall and weighing more than 300 pounds.  He described the other robber, who had been driving the car, as a black male with long dreadlocks.

He said the men were driving a late-model, dark-colored Ford SUV.

In the robbery at Babcock Residence Hall, the student described one robber as six feet five inches tall and weighing more than 300 pounds.  He described the other robber as being of average build.

The student reported the robberies after first telling a University staff member who is not a police officer.  That staff member accompanied him immediately to report the crimes to University Police.

It is not yet clear if the two robberies are related.

The other robbery investigation involves an anonymous student who has chosen not to speak with University Police, but instead reported the robbery to a University staff member who he permitted to tell police a few details.  Police were told by the staff member on March 25 that the robbery occurred on March 24.  The student said that the men, who did not display a firearm, demanded marijuana from him.  Police do not know if the student gave the men marijuana.  The student told the staff member that the men were driving a red pickup truck with “jacked up” wheels.

Further investigation is underway to determine if the same suspects are involved in all the robberies.

The University Police Department encourages anyone with information about any of the incidents to call them at 336-758-5911 or contact them through the anonymous “Silent Witness” program at police.wfu.edu/services/witness.

The University Police Department recommends that:

–Faculty, staff and students immediately report suspicious persons to them at 336-758-5911

–Students not allow anyone into a residence hall unless that person uses their own ID card

–Students always lock their residence hall room doors

–Faculty, staff and students record and report license plate numbers of suspicious vehicles by calling 336-758-5911

–Faculty, staff and students avoid walking alone when possible.

Wake Forest Communications and External Relations