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June 1, 2006

Crime

Student robbed in parking lot

The robbery, which may have been at gunpoint, took place Monday evening near the Activities Building.

A female student reported being robbed Monday in front of the Activities Building after a man approached her.

According to police reports, the woman was returning to her car in Lot 33 around 6:15 p.m. after discovering the building was closed. While searching through her purse for her keys, the man placed a metal object on the back of her neck, told her not to turn around and demanded she give him all of her money.

The victim did not see the metal object, but believed it to be a small handgun. The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s with medium skin tone, a thin build and shaved head who is possibly left handed, Assistant Police Chief Ricardo Gomez said.

Gomez said more crime occurs during summer sessions because there are fewer people on campus. However, the police department will continue to hold crime-prevention seminars in residence halls.

“We will be actively educating students on how not to be a victim of a crime, and we are hoping to get more involved in student orientation,” he said. “One of the best things people can do to prevent crime is to be aware of their surroundings and not leave property or valuables in plain sight or unattended.”

Students who exercise and attend classes at the Activities Building had diverse reactions about a student being robbed close to the building.

Biochemistry junior Maryann Abanobi said the daylight attack on campus will make her keep an eye out when leaving the building.

“That robbery is pretty scary, especially for me, because I work out at the Activities Building a lot more in the summer, and I know a lot of other people do too,” she said. “I walk up here most days. I think now I’ll be a little more cautious.”

Kinesiology junior John Guzejka said no robbery would deter him from his workout or classes.

“The attack won’t scare me from coming,” he said. “I’ve lived in this neighborhood a while so I’m kind of used to stuff like this, although that may be a bad thing.”

— A.J. Eaton

Assault Reported in Central Library

An officer arrested a former student Sunday in the Central Library on charges of assault, according to police reports.

The incident happened after a female nonstudent and the former male student engaged in an argument after arriving in the morning to use the computers.

Assistant Police Chief Ricardo Gomez said UTA Police received a phone call from library personnel around 9:30 a.m. and arrested the man in Lot 47 shortly after the two left the library.

The woman suffered a bruise on her right forearm and discoloration on the right side of her face. She did not wish to press charges.

Gomez said the two had been living together for more than a year and were considered married under common law.

Police decided not to post any bulletins around the library area because the man has been arrested and is no longer considered a threat to the general public.

— Stefanie Barrera