RALEIGH — Raleigh police have arrested two men in connection with last week's robbery and assault of an NC-State professor.

They say 18-year-old Brian Carter of 1212 Chaney Road and 26-year-old Michael Corbett of 5308 Fiddlewood Court snatched the professor's purse as she was next to her car on Hillsborough Street.

She told police that one man grabbed the purse and then jumped into a waiting car driven by a second man. A witness jotted down the license plate, which was traced to a car police said was leased to Corbett.

Police say crime has increased in the area. That's why officers have been doing foot and bike patrols for the past few years. But the professor says more needs to be done. She has suggested that more escorts be made available.

NC State security says there are five student patrols and escorts watching over the campus area. They don't plan on making any changes at this time.

The pair is also thought to be linked to a previous purse snatching. That one occurred outside the Warehouse Restaurant at Dawson and Lenoir Streets on Jan. 24. Police say that victim has identified Corbett as one of her assailants.

Corbett, who had been staying with Carter, had been reported as missing earlier in the week by his parents.