Since the beginning of the year, there have been five strong-armed robberies in and around the N.C. State campus.Raleigh policethink two men are responsible for the crimes.
"All the victims were approached from behind, they were struck from behind," says Sgt. Norman Grodi of the Raleigh Police Department. "They don't see their attacker coming and then they're pushed to the ground and then they're struck with fists and hands until they surrender their property."
But that's not the only similarity.
"All of the victims in these cases appear to be males all walking by themselves either on a side street or a secluded dark area," says Grodi.
The university has issued a public safety alert. Students are taking heed.
"I'll probably keep my eyes open more, look around to see if anyone suspicious is around," says student Kevin King.
Sgt. Larry Ellis, of the NCSU Department of Public Safety, says steps are being taken to prevent another attack.
"We'll be increasing patrols and things like that. We're keeping an eye on that area to make sure to keep this from becoming a trend or something like that," says Ellis.
There are some tips you can take to heart. You may have heard them before, but now is the time to start using them.
"Do not walk alone, walk with somebody. Call5-3000if you're a student. You get an escort and it doesn't matter if you are male or female. But don't walk alone look at where you're walking," insists Ellis.
All five of those attacks did not involve a weapon, but a separate, unrelated incident off Hillsborough street did.
N.C. State student Dominic Obermiller was shot in the leg during abotched robbery attemptearly Saturday morning.
Raleigh police have released a composite of Obermiller's attacker. Anyone with information about the suspect or any of the attacks is asked to call the Raleigh Police Department.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
