[Cp-bulletin] Unarmed Robbery

[Sgt. Cheryl Vossmer]

*Crime Alert Bulletin

*

*Housemasters, tutors, and RA's please distribute the attached crime 
alert immediately to students residing in all campus living 
groups/residence halls. * Do not change any of the alert verbiage 
without the permission of the MIT Police Department.* *

Crime Alert to the MIT Community

Issued: Monday, February 23, 2009

*INCIDENT: *

On Sunday, February 22, 2009, at approximately 2:10 p.m., a non 
affiliated male was the victim of an armed robbery on Vassar St. in the 
vicinity of Stata. A few minutes later, at approximately 2:20 p.m.,  a 
student was the victim in a second unarmed robbery, which occurred on 
the E15 Plaza.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:
The victims, and a witness, describes the suspects as follows: four 
males, black, 20 to 25 years of age.  All suspects were wearing black 
puffy jackets and black hats. No further descriptions were provided.

SUMMARY:
Both victims were walking alone. In the Vassar Street robbery, a suspect 
asked the victim for the time. Once the victim stopped the robbers 
grabbed the cell phone out of the victims hand. In the E15 Plaza 
robbery, the victim had walked between the four males, when they grabbed 
him from behind in a choke hold. The other suspects punched him and then 
took his cell phone, wallet, and watch.

Cambridge and MIT Police concentrated a substantial search in the area 
looking for the suspects described to no avail.

Anyone with information about either of these incidents is asked to call 
the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 or Cambridge Police at 617-349-3300.

*SUGGESTIONS:*

All members of the MIT community are asked to be alert and take
precautions. To minimize the opportunity for such incidents, the MIT
Police Department reminds community members to be vigilant while walking
throughout campus and surrounding areas during the day and at night.

Take appropriate precautions, such as walking with others and utilizing
the Safe Ride whenever possible.

Remain alert to your immediate surroundings. Be extra vigilant while 
talking on a cell
phone or listening to music. Safety Starts With You! One of the most 
common ruses used
by robbers is to ask what time is it, or change for a larger bill. If 
you stop, the robber(s) see if you're
left or right handed. If you don't have a watch they might ask if you 
have a cell phone,
at which point might the robber might snatch it right out of your hand. 
Don't stop, keep walking. Have a safety plan.

Anyone on campus should call the MIT Police Department at 617-253-1212,
utilize a blue light emergency telephone, or dial 100 from an Institute
telephone if they feel they are in danger at any time.

See Something Say Something - call the MIT
Police at 617-253-1212

-------------------------------------------
Sgt. Cheryl Vossmer
MIT Police            617-253-1212
301 Vassar St.
Cambridge, MA 02139