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

Reply-To: dps-mail@illinois.edu
 Subject: CRIME-ALERT

I write to inform you of an incident which poses a continuing risk to 
students and employees of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Urbana Police Department is investigating a report of an armed 
robbery that occurred on 09-14-09 at approximately 7:30 pm at 708 South 
Goodwin Avenue.

The victim was working at the Family Pride Convenience Store when she was 
approached by a male subject who demanded money.  The subject displayed a 
weapon, described as a "box cutter," and retrieved money from the cash 
register.  The victim complied and the suspect fled on foot from the 
scene.

The suspect was described as an African-American male, early 40's, 
approximately 6'00" to 6'03" tall with a thin build.  The suspect was 
described as having grey/black hair and a similar colored beard.  The 
suspect was also reported to be wearing a white shirt and a white hat at 
the time of the incident.

Fortunately, the victim in this incident was not injured.

As a result of this crime, the University of Illinois and Urbana Police 
Departments are increasing patrols in the area and are working 
collaboratively to gather additional suspect information. 

Anyone with information about this incident should call the Urbana Police 
Department at 217-384-2320.  Information also can be shared anonymously 
through Crimestoppers by calling 217-373-TIPS or online at: 
http://www.champaigncountycrimestoppers.com/ 

The University of Illinois Police Department offers the following crime 
prevention strategies:

-Always keep your doors and windows locked.

-Trust your instincts - if you feel uncomfortable about someone near you 
on the street, in an elevator or getting off a bus, go to a populated 
place or yell for help.

-Use well-lit and busy sidewalks if possible. 

-Avoid walking alone or walking near vacant lots, alleys, construction 
sites and wooded areas.

-Learn the locations of emergency phones on campus.

-Carry a cell phone, whistle or a personal alarm to alert people that you 
need help.

-Try to park in an area that will be well-lit and heavily traveled when 
you return.

-Lock your car doors and roll up the windows completely - even if you are 
only running a quick errand.

-Stay alert at all times and call the police immediately to report 
suspicious activity.

-Put the contact "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) in your cell phone with a 
name and telephone number of a loved one, to enable emergency services 
personnel to contact your family in the event of an emergency.

-Excessive volume or use of electronic devices (iPods, PDAs, cell phones, 
etc.) distracts you from being alert to potential safety issues.  Unplug 
yourself and tune in to your immediate environment.

-Utilize the SafeWalks program which is designed to provide a walking 
escort to any student between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday 
through Thursday and 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday (call 
333-1216 to arrange a SafeWalk).

-Utilize the Saferides program which is designed to provide a safe 
transport to any student and is generally available during the evening 
hours until 6:30 a.m. (Call 

Finally, if you have not yet done so, please register your contact 
information with Illini-Alert, at emergency.illinois.edu to receive 
messages about critical safety issues on campus.

Barbara R. O'Connor, J.D.
Executive Director of Public Safety
Chief of Police
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chief of Police

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