Campus Safety Alert

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

April 25, 2008

Southern Illinois University Carbondale police are investigating an armed robbery and aggravated battery that occurred at 9:16 p.m., Thursday, April 24, on a footpath in Thompson Woods.

A 24-year-old SIUC student told police he was walking through Thompson Woods when he heard footsteps. One of three suspects approached the victim and put a dark object against the side of his head.

The victim told police he tried to slap the object away, and was then struck in the face. After falling to the ground, the victim said two other suspects punched him and kicked him in the head. The suspects took the victim's wallet and backpack and ran into Thompson Woods.

Police responded when the victim went to the Agricultural Sciences building for help. He received treatment at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale and was released.

The victim could provide only a partial description of the suspect who struck him with an object; between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 130 and 150 pounds and wearing dark clothing.

The victim told police he was walking from the Northwest Annex toward his vehicle in the SIU Arena parking lot when the attack happened.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the SIUC Department of Public Safety at 618/453-3771 or the Crime Stopper Line at 618/549-COPS.

Police advise members of the campus community to use Saluki Express, Night Safety Transit Service and the 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/.

University Communications • siucnews@siu.edu
Southern Illinois University Carbondale • Mailcode 6819
Carbondale, IL 62901
618/453-2276 office • 618/453-2230 fax