To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Barbara O'Connor" <boconnr@illinois.edu>

Reply-To: dps-mail@ad.uiuc.edu
 Subject: Armed Robbery Advisory

To: 		All Faculty, Staff, Students
From: 		Barbara O'Connor, Executive Director of Public Safety
Subject:	Armed Robbery Advisory

The Champaign Police Department is investigating a report of an armed 
robbery that occurred Thursday night (March 12) at about 9:35 in the 200 
block of East John Street.

A female victim was walking east on John Street when she was approached by 
two male suspects.

One suspect, wearing a white shirt, waved a hand as if motioning to 
someone. As the victim continued walking, the other suspect, wearing a 
black hooded sweatshirt, ran out from behind a large bush in front of 202 
E. John St. and showed a black semi-automatic handgun and told the victim 
to stop.

The suspect wearing the shirt ran toward the victim and grabbed her by an 
arm. The other suspect threatened the victim with the handgun and took a 
small, black, wallet-sized purse.

The suspects ran south across John into the east parking lot of Beckwith 
Hall, 201 E. John St. The victim ran after the suspects and yelled for 
help.

The suspect wearing the sweatshirt reportedly fired one or two shots 
toward the victim.  The victim, who ran into Beckwith Hall, was not 
injured.

The suspects are described as black, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, thin, 
and in their late teens to early 20s. Both were wearing blue jeans and do-
rags.

The U. of I. Police Department is increasing patrols as a result of this 
incident and is working with the Champaign Police Department to identify 
and arrest the suspects. The department also urges victims not to 
challenge dangerous suspects if threatened.

Anyone with information about this incident should call the Champaign 
Police Department at 217-351-4545.  Information also can be shared 
anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 217-373-TIPS or online at 
http://www.champaigncountycrimestoppers.com/

Police encourage the campus community to report suspicious behavior and 
take actions to remove the opportunity for a crime to occur.  Individuals 
are reminded to use well-lit and busy sidewalks whenever possible. Also, 
avoid walking alone or walking near vacant lots, alleys, or construction 
sites.  Stay alert at all times and immediately report any suspicious 
activity to police. Safety tips can be found on the U. of I. Police 
Department Web page at 
http://www.police.illinois.edu/safetyresources.htm

Barbara R. O'Connor
Executive Director of Public Safety
Chief of Police
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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