Marquette community on guard after recent string of armed robberies on campus

NOW: Marquette community on guard after recent string of armed robberies on campus
NEXT:

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Marquette University police are investigating an armed robbery that happened on campus on Thursday, Oct. 14 around 5:15 p.m. 

It happened near 17th and West Kilbourn Ave. A man driving a silver Kia Soul approached a Marquette student on foot, displayed a weapon and demanded his property. The victim gave up his iPhone. 

According to the victim, the suspect returned to the car that had two other people in it, and headed northbound on 18th St. The victim wasn't injured. This is the third armed robbery on Marquette's campus this week.

The Marquette University community is taking extra steps to keep students safe. The university is urging students to always be on guard because these robbery attempts all happened at different times throughout the day. So far no one has been injured.

Sophomore Richard Martinez said, "It's not surprising. It's definitely a thought at night when it's dark and there's less people walking around."

Martinez says Marquette offers guidelines for how to handle potentially dangerous situations. "You kind of give away your possession at all times. You don't try to fight anything."

But it's not happening just at night. One of the attempts happened just after 7 a.m. Sophomore Margaret Riordan said that's "kind of scary because my friend works at the Rec and she has to get up for work at 6am and she's scared to walk there."

Senior Michael Policano knows one of the recent victims, and has noticed increased security measures. "There's been cop cars rolling back and forth. Even in general, if something happens, the cops are very quick to get onto it."

Edith Hudson, the chief of the Marquette Police Department, says MUPD is increasing patrols in the area and officers are working overtime, especially overnight. She's urging students to use the free university van service whenever possible, to download the eagle eye safety app, and to walk in groups.

She said, "I want to assure you my team is working diligently to investigate the recent robberies on campus, and we are coordinating with the Milwaukee Police Department and other local law enforcement to apprehend the suspects."

Martinez said, "If you don't see anyone around it's kind of a little nerve-wracking."

There are 450 blue light phones scattered across the campus that call for help at any time, and there are more than 1100 security cameras on campus.

Marquette University sent all of the incidents to students through the safety alert system. 

The Marquette University Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact MUPD immediately at (414) 288-6800.









Share this article: