INCIDENT:       Battery, Mob Action and Strong Armed Robbery

OCCURRED:   Saturday, October 11, 2014 between 3:30 a.m. and 4:10 a.m.

LOCATION:     600 S. Fifth St., Champaign <map>

                      200 E. Chalmers St., Champaign <map>

                      Chalmers and Locust Streets, Champaign <map>

                      and 100 E. Chalmers St., Champaign <map>

BRIEF DETAILS: 

The Champaign Police Department is investigating a string of batteries that occurred at various locations (see above) in the campus area on Saturday, October 11, 2014.

Between 3:30 a.m. and 4:10 a.m. there were four similar incidents where individuals (5 victims) who were walking in the campus area were approached and battered for no apparent reason. Based on the circumstances, it is possible that all victims were battered by the same group of suspects. In one incident, the suspects exited two vehicles, battered the victim and left the area in the vehicles. In the other cases it appears the suspects were walking together in a group just prior to battering the victims. During some of these encounters, the suspects would ask the victim for an item or verbalize general threats just prior to the battery.  One victim had a cell phone taken. None of the victims sustained major injuries, but some did seek medical treatment for cuts and bruises.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTIONS:

In all the cases, the victims described the suspects as a group of black males. The number in the group ranged from 6 to 8. One victim stated the suspects appeared around 25 years old and were dressed in tee shirts and jeans. Another victim stated the suspects exited two vehicles prior to the battery and described the vehicles as a SUV and a passenger car.

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 and University of Illinois Police Departments are working to identify and apprehend the offender(s).  Witnesses to any of these events or those with information are encouraged to contact the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545, 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