October 06, 2009

Campus Safety Alert Southern Illinois University Carbondale Oct. 6, 2009

The Carbondale Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that was reported at 10:25 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. The victim, an SIUC graduate student, reported that at about 3:30 a.m. Monday, while walking in the 600 block of South Washington Street, an unknown suspect knocked the victim to the ground while claiming to be armed with a weapon. The suspect took property belonging to the victim and fled the area on foot. The suspect was described as a 20-year- old Hispanic male, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds with a nose ring, wearing dark jeans and a dark hooded sweatshirt that was partially covering his face. There were no injuries as a result of this incident, and the investigation is continuing.

The SIUC Department of Public Safety advises members of the campus community to use Saluki Express, Night Safety Transit Service and Brightway Path when traveling at night. In addition, emergency call phones are located across campus, including on both overpasses. For more information on safety precautions, visit the Department of Public Safety Web site at http://www.dps.siu.edu/.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the Carbondale Police Department at 457-3200 or Crime Stoppers at 549-COPS (2677). Anonymous tips may also be made by selecting the "Crime Stoppers" link on the department’s Web site, www.carbondalepolice.com/.