The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Public Safety is warning the campus community to stay alert and take extra safety precautions in the wake of a reported strong-arm robbery on north campus just after midnight today (July 26).
The suspect was described as a black male, in his early-to-mid-20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build, wearing dark jeans and a dark T-shirt – possibly navy blue in color. No weapons were used in the robbery.
A 24-year-old male and his sister were walking west on the sidewalk between Hill Hall and the Smith Building when he was grabbed from behind and pushed to the ground. The suspect fled the scene after being confronted by a UNC Public Safety Officer who was on foot patrol in the immediate area.
The Department of Public Safety offers the following safety tips:
Don’t walk alone at night.
Use the buddy system. Walk in well-lit areas of campus.
Immediately report any and all suspicious activity to law enforcement by calling 9-1-1.
Remember that 9-1-1 is not only for emergencies. If you do not have a cell phone, use the call boxes located across campus.
Use UNC’s free Point-to-Point demand service by calling 962-7867 (962-P-TO-P) and providing your UNC personal identification number. The service is available at night to UNC students, faculty and staff at various locations during summer months.
Use Chapel Hill Transit, free to all passengers during operational hours. For information about routes and services, visit http://www.chtransit.org/
For more information, visit the “Breaking News” link from the Department of Public Safety Web site at: http://www.dps.unc.edu.
University police ask anyone with information in connection with the case to call the department at 962-8100 or Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crime Stoppers at 942-7515. All conversations are confidential; no one must identify themselves or appear in court.
Public Safety contact: Lt. Steven Thornton, (919) 962-8100 (office)
News Services contact: Lisa Katz, (919) 638-0474 (cell),