Police investigate attempted strong-armed robbery on campus

By Andrea Hammer

Assistant Campus Editor

Publication Date: 11/04/2009

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Police are investigating an attempted strong-armed robbery that took place around 2:10 p.m. Tuesday by the Purdue Armory.

A Lafayette juvenile was skateboarding around the area of the Purdue Armory at Third and University Streets when he was approached by two white males.

According to Purdue police chief John Cox, the suspects approached the juvenile, engaged conversation with him and then ordered him to turn over his money.

“When he didn’t give them his money, they threatened him,” Cox said. “He fled through campus and eventually sought refuge in the Circle K (gas station).”

The e-mail sent out to students reported that the suspect told the victim he had a knife and a gun.

According to the e-mail, the victim fled northbound through campus with the suspects in pursuit. The victim stated and a witness at Circle K confirmed that at least one of the suspects pursued the victim to Circle K before leaving in an unknown direction.

Cox said West Lafayette Police were initially contacted until it was determined that the crime fell into Purdue Police’s jurisdiction.

Both Purdue and West Lafayette Police checked the area but were unsuccessful at locating either of the suspects.

One suspect was described as a white male, 16-18 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, medium build, short blonde hair and scruffy facial hair. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt under a black hoodie sweatshirt.

The other suspect was described as a white male, 16-18 years old, medium build, short brown hair with silver framed glasses and a visible mark on the left side of his neck. He was last seen wearing a black, gray and red plaid wool sweater.

Jeanne Norberg, Purdue spokeswoman, said the University alerted students with information in various ways after they learned of the crime.

“We put out an alert to campus in a text message and e-mail and put the (news) release up on the (Purdue) home page in hopes that some people will be able to come forward and give us additional information,” she said.

Text alerts and e-mails to students were sent out at approximately 4:40 p.m.

Anyone who might have information about this incident is asked to either call the Purdue Police at 494-8221 or the We Tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463.