INCIDENT:      Robbery        

OCCURRED:  Thursday, 05/08/14 at approximately 9:45 p.m.      

LOCATION:    1000 block of West Main Street, Urbana        

BRIEF DETAILS:

The Urbana Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred in the 1000 block of West Main Street, Urbana. The victim was walking on the sidewalk when 7 to 10 subjects exited a van and started throwing rocks at him. As the victim attempted to leave the area the suspects approached the victim, battered him and stole several items of his personal property. The suspects re-entered the van and left the area going east from Harvey Street in the alley between Main and Clark Streets.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTIONS:

The suspects in this case were all described as black males who were "small in stature." It is believed they may be high school age. The suspects arrived and left the scene in a newer light blue Dodge or Chrysler mini-van. While leaving the scene, the mini-van backed over a curb and into a pole. It is believed that there is damage to the rear of the mini-van, most likely on the driver’s side. It is also possible that the rear tires or wheels of the mini-van may have been damaged when it backed over the curb.

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 Urbana Police Department is working to identify and apprehend the offenders.  Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the Urbana Police Department at 217-384-2320 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

SafeWalks is a courtesy service provided to University of Illinois students, faculty, or staff, so that they do not have to walk alone within the campus area. Information on SafeWalks can be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/SafeWalks.html

Jeffrey T. Christensen

Executive Director of Public Safety

Chief of Police          

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign