Four sought in strong-arm robbery

University Police are looking for four individuals in connection to the strong-arm robbery of an alumnus near Annapolis Hall early Sunday morning.

The incident is the first such crime this month and comes only days after an assault outside the bars early Friday morning, making it the second crime alert sent out by University Police this week. Until the first crime alert, none had been sent out since March 30.

At about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, the victim, a university alumnus, was parking his car alone in the metered parking lot of Lehigh Road. The first suspect tapped on the driver's side window of the car and asked to use the 22-year-old victim's cell phone to make a call. The victim agreed, got out of his vehicle and handed over his phone, according to the crime alert.

The suspect then began walking away from the victim toward the South Hill section of the campus with the cell phone in hand. The victim began following the suspect when three other unidentified suspects surrounded him. One of the suspects punched the victim in the head, stunning him for a brief period of time. University Police spokesman Paul Dillon said there is no evidence a weapon was used.

When the victim regained consciousness, he saw the four suspects heading toward South Campus Dining Hall and realized he was missing his watch, Blackberry and wallet. The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he was treated for a minor injury and released, police said.

The suspect who took the phone is described by the crime alert as a black male, 5 foot 10 inches tall, who wore a multi-colored shirt with white stripes at the time of the robbery. The victim could not provide a description of the other three suspects, according to the crime alert.

University Police are reviewing video surveillance footage in the area and encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact them.

Dillon advised against lending cell phones to strangers. He said cell phones are more common than ever and most people already have one. He suggested thinking twice before giving someone your personal property.

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