Crime Alerts

#2004-5

November 3, 2004

ARMED ROBBERIES
[Oakland, Shadyside, Bloomfield]

Carnegie Mellon University Police have received information from Pittsburgh Police that a male-female team committed six armed robberies over the Halloween weekend as follows:

• Oct. 30, 11:47 p.m., 349 West Penn Place (Bloomfield)
• Oct. 31, 12:00 a.m., Alder St. & College Ave. (Shadyside)
• Oct. 31, 12:04 a.m., 620 Copeland St. (Shadyside)
• Oct. 31, 12:19 a.m., Kentucky & College Avenues (Shadyside)
• Oct. 31, 12:40 a.m., 213 Coltart St. (Central Oakland)
• Oct. 31, 1:00 a.m., 5600 blk Howe St. (Shadyside)
  

A Carnegie Mellon University student was a victim in one of the street robberies. In five of the cases, the suspects approached the victims from behind or the side, while in one case the victim was walking behind the suspects who suddenly turned on her. In all six cases, the victims were ordered or forced to lie face-down on the ground at gunpoint. The victims in three of the robberies were women walking alone or with another female friend.

Victims have described the suspects as follows: a Black Female, 17-20 years old, 5’5”-5’7”, 120-130 lbs., medium to dark complexion, with short hair pulled back in a bun and/or ponytail, wearing a white t-shirt and dark, tight fitting jeans; and a Black Male, 17-25 years old, 5’5”-5’10”, 160-200 lbs., medium complexion, wearing a Steelers shirt, dark jacket and jeans, and a doo rag. The suspects were armed with dark colored semi-automatic pistols. If you see the above suspects or have any information about these cases, notify Pittsburgh Police (9-1-1) immediately!

Although these crimes occurred significant distances from campus, because the neighborhoods are known to some of our students, University Police felt it important to inform you so that you will take precautions to ensure your safety when off campus. 

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

• Stay alert to your surroundings at all times. 
• Never walk alone after dark, even in areas with which you are familiar.
• Don’t carry cash or credit cards with you if at all possible. 
• If confronted by an armed assailant, don’t resist – do whatever he/she tells you. Money or property can be replaced – you can’t be!