Crime Alerts

#2005-2

January 27, 2005

ARMED ROBBERY
Central Cathlic High School

Carnegie Mellon University Police were informed yesterday by Pittsburgh City Police that a member of the Central Catholic High School staff was robbed at gunpoint last Friday evening while he was inside the locker room of the school’s gym.

At approximately 7:22 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21st, the victim approached a lone male to ask why he was in the locker room. The suspect then pulled a dark colored semi-automatic handgun and ordered the victim into the shower room where he was robbed of an undetermined amount of cash and credit cards. The suspect then ordered the victim to lie face down on the floor, and left the building. The suspect was last seen jumping over the fence surrounding the football practice field and running up the hill toward the Morewood parking lot. The victim was not harmed.

The victim described the suspect as: a black male in his 20’s, 6’-6’3” tall, 170-200 lbs., medium build, light complected, wearing dark pants, black puffy jacket, black cap and black ski mask. If you see the above described suspect or have any information about this case, notify City Police by calling 9-1-1 (reference Case #10971) or University Police immediately on (412) 268-2323 or x8-2323!

Since this crime occurred inside a private building and did not pose an immediate threat to anyone other than the victim, it would normally not be the subject of a campus alert. However, the suspect fled directly toward and possibly onto university property through a wooded area used daily by students as a short-cut to Fifth Avenue. Thus, University Police felt it important to inform you about the incident. Additionally, University Police strongly urge our students NOT to cut through the wooded areas bordering the Central Catholic High School campus, as the above robbery clearly indicates that you never know whom you might encounter while taking this short-cut. Better to be safe than sorry – walk down Devonshire Road onto Fifth Avenue instead.

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

• Never walk through dark, isolated, or wooded areas alone, either during the daytime or after dark, even if such areas are very familiar to you.
• Pay attention to strangers you encounter suddenly in a secluded area, especially if the person appears to be fleeing or running from something. Just keep on walking, don’t look back, and don’t stop for any reason. If such a person should call out to you or stop you to ask you a question, DON’T STOP – RUN!
• If confronted by an armed assailant, do not resist. Do what he tells you and give him everything he asks for. Money can be replaced – you can’t be!