Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Recent robberies near UNT concern students

By Taylor Short of North Texas Daily

Kyle Phillips/North Texas Daily

Two robberies occurred near campus over the weekend around the Environmental Education, Science & Technology Building. One happened on the 1700 block of West Hickory Street, the other on the 100 block of Avenue D.

DENTON — Two recent assaults and robberies on the north edge of campus have students alarmed and police bolstering patrols.

Denton Police Detective Ronnie Crain is investigating, but said there are no suspects and no arrests have been made.

"We're trying to track down the victims to make sure what happened in the reports are what really happened," he said.

The first incident occurred at 2 a.m. Friday in the 1700 block of West Hickory Street near the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building.

Three suspects assaulted a man in his 20s as he was walking down the sidewalk. They demanded property and fled after the victim complied, according to an NT police report.

On Saturday, a similar incident occurred on the 100 block of Avenue D near College Inn. The victim was assaulted by two men, and one displayed a knife. After the victim handed over property the suspects fled in a dark-colored sedan driven by a third suspect, according to a second report.

Crain said the victims were not injured and that it is possible the same three men perpetrated both incidents.

"That makes me feel unsafe," education junior Jennifer Lay said. "It kind of makes me not want to have a night class over here."

In an e-mail, NT Deputy Chief of Police Ed Reynolds said the police are increasing patrols and working closely with the Denton Police Department on the investigation. He also advised students, faculty and staff to walk in groups, avoid dark areas and report suspicious activity immediately.

Anthropology senior Justin Stewart said he is around the EESAT building after dark and now thinks the area is unsafe.

"I'm here Tuesday nights for class until about 9 at night, but I'm usually on my bike so I could kind of get the heck out of here," he said. "I don't think I would walk around by myself from this area down to Bonnie Brae."

Denton police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ronnie Crain at 940-349-7992 or Denton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-388-TIPS (8477).

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