INCIDENT:       Attempted Armed Robbery  

OCCURRED:     Friday, July 18, 2014 at approximately 3 A.M.

LOCATION:       50 block of East John Street, Champaign (map)

BRIEF DETAILS:

The victim was walking in the 50 block of East John Street, Champaign when he was approached by a subject who displayed a knife and demanded his wallet and phone. The victim refused and the suspect lunged at the victim cutting him with the knife. The victim was able to defend himself and punched the suspect in the nose which may have caused some injury to the suspect. The suspect left the area in an unknown direction.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTIONS:

The victim described the suspect as a black male, 30-35 years of age, 5'10", 190 lbs., 2-3 day stubble on his face, with a dark blue/black/or green hooded jacket, and blue jeans. The suspect may have an injury to his nose or facial area.

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 Champaign Police Department is working to identify and apprehend the offender.  Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the Champaign Police Department at 351-4545 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

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