INCIDENT:   Robbery

OCCURRED:   Friday, April 4th, 2013 at approximately 03:10AM

LOCATION:   100 South Mathews, Urbana (Between Green Street and Springfield Avenue)

BRIEF DETAILS:

The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating a Robbery that occurred at 100 South Mathews, Urbana.

On April 5th, 2013, at approximately 3:10 AM, an individual was walking in the 100 block of South Mathews, Urbana, when a vehicle stopped in the road.  Two offenders exited the vehicle, approached the individual and asked for directions.  When the offenders were close enough to the victim, one offender slapped the victim in the shoulder and demanded money.  After the victim complied, the offenders returned to the car, turned around and drove south bound (the wrong way) on Mathews toward Green Street.  The victim reported the crime later in the day at noon.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTIONS:

Both offenders are described as college aged black males, approximately 5' 08" tall wearing dark clothing.

The offender that struck the victim is described as having a white earring in each ear, short hair, large side burns that possibly turned into a beard.

The vehicle is described as an older, black, 4-door sedan.

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 offenders.  Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 333-1216 or Crime Stoppers at 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