INCIDENT:  Armed Robbery

OCCURRED:  December 14, 2012 approximately 8:10 p.m.

LOCATION:  1001 W. Springfield Avenue, Urbana (parking lot B-21)  

BRIEF DETAILS:

The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred in the 1000 block of West Springfield Avenue, Urbana (U of I parking lot B-21).

On Friday, December 14th at approximately 8:10 PM, an individual was entering his vehicle in U of I parking lot B-21.  After the individual entered his vehicle, the offender opened up a passenger door and pointed a handgun at the victim while demanding the victim's cellular phone.  The victim turned over the phone and the offender ran towards the south between Loomis Lab and Daniels Hall.  A police canine confirmed the offender's last known direction of travel, but the scent was lost in the 1100 block of W. Green Street, Urbana.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTIONS:

The offender is described as a clean shaven black male in his 20's, with a medium build and short hair in a crew cut style.  The offender was last seen wearing a brown baggy waist length coat.

Information about the race or ethnicity of alleged offenders is provided only to aid detailed descriptions that include physical stature, clothing or unusual characteristics.  Racial descriptions do not, by themselves, offer a meaningful picture of an individual's appearance.

POLICE RESPONSE:

The University of Illinois Police Department is working to identify and apprehend the offender.  Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216 or Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS (8477

SAFETY INFORMATION:

Members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to follow these safety tips to decrease their potential for becoming a victim:

-Stay alert - call the police immediately to report suspicious activity and/or if this subject is observed.

-Trust your instincts - if it does not feel right, call for help.

-Avoid walking alone at night. Travel in groups when possible and always walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas.

-Turn down your electronic devices. Excessive volume or use of electronic devices (iPods, PDAs, cell phones, etc.) can distract you from potential safety hazards.

-If you choose to consume alcohol, please drink moderately - remember your ability to respond is diminished by over-consumption of alcohol.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The University of Illinois, Champaign and Urbana Police Departments are collaborating to provide CrimeReports, a national crime mapping service, with up-to-date crime information. This map includes Clery crimes (homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson and motor vehicle theft), as well as other crimes that are of concern to community members.

You can access the campus district crime map and sign up for daily, weekly, or monthly email alerts at www.CrimeReports.com. Access to the crime map is available 24 hours a day through the website or through a CrimeReports iPhone application, available for free download in the Apple iTunes store.

Information also can be shared anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 217-373-TIPS or online at:
http://www.champaigncountycrimestoppers.com/

Crimes in progress, reporting of suspicious individuals or any event requiring a police response should be reported to our regional dispatch center by calling 9-1-1.

Crime prevention information can be found on the University of Illinois Division of Public Safety website at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/campussafety.html

Updates to crime alerts can also be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu

Information regarding our commitment to continually enhance campus safety can be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/enhance.html

Jeffrey T. Christensen
Executive Director of Public Safety
Chief of Police
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu