A Boston University employee was allegedly robbed by three men in front of the Metcalf Center for Science and Engineering on Thursday at 7:20 p.m., BU Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jack St. Hilaire said.
The attackers allegedly approached the woman, threw her against the building and took her cell phone, St. Hilaire said. The woman described the men as black, wearing dark clothing and appearing to be in their 20s. She said the man who allegedly threw her against the building was 5 feet 10 inches tall and heavy-set, and the other suspects were shorter.
The alleged attackers fled down Blandford Street toward Beacon Street after taking the woman’s cellular phone.
The alleged attackers were unarmed, and the victim sustained no injuries, St. Hilaire said.
‘It was a crime of opportunity,’ he said. ‘They just happened to be there at that time, and they identified someone that was isolated, and they could victimize.’
This incident is the third robbery to take place on or around campus in 2009. On Jan. 19, two Boston University students were robbed at gunpoint on Gardner Street, and on Jan. 14, an attempted robbery took place at 189 Bay State Rd.
St. Hilaire said although the number of robberies that have taken place thus far this year is not unusual, BUPD will have additional patrols and meet with Boston and Brookline Police Departments to establish a task force. A similar task force was established last year, when several assaults and robberies occurred on campus, St. Hilaire said.
‘Just remember, you’re in the city,’ he said. ‘You’re at risk for the perils of urban life, even if this is a safe area.’
Even though there is not connection between the robberies at this time, St. Hilaire said these robberies all have ‘the same M.O.’ because the attackers are targeting ‘people at night who are walking alone.’
‘Why would you target students?’ he said. ‘They’re popular targets, because they have nice little gadgets. They have cell phones, iPods, and that’s what they’re looking for.’
Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore and BUPD Chief Tom Robbins will host a town hall meeting on Feb. 10 to discuss the robberies, and St. Hilaire said any students with descriptions of the attackers or information relating to the robberies should come forward. Until the meeting, St. Hilaire said students should use the Escort Security Service or walk with their friends at night.
‘The key is, even with putting in the additional patrols, your best safety is your own common sense, being aware of your surroundings,’ St. Hilaire said.
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