In response to an armed robbery on the Trolley footbridge late Monday evening, Cornell students are advised to take extra safety precautions and be alert for individuals loitering on footbridges, sidewalks and paths, according to a Cornell Police “Crime Alert” sent out to Cornell students yesterday via e-mail.
A white female undergraduate engineering student was approached by two males as she was walking across the footbridge connecting the Cornell campus to Collegetown at approximately 11 p.m., according to Capt. Randall Hausner ’85 of the CUPD. One of the male suspects displayed a handgun while the other suspect took her backpack and wallet, he said.
The victim was not injured and immediately contacted the Cornell Police who proceeded to search the area with the Ithaca Police. Her backpack was recovered close to the crime site, Hausner added.
“The University is trying to notify students about what happened so that they can take extra precautions especially in isolated areas that are not well lit,” said Linda Grace-Kobas, director of the Cornell News Service.
Students should be careful about their personal safety and are encouraged to use the Blue Light phones and escort service, she said.
“We will be sending an e-mail to over 19,000 students and distributing a notice throughout campus and to all building supervisors, especially those in the engineering quad,” Hausner said. Preparations were being made yesterday for increased security at the bridge last night, he added.
“We have prepped the escorts and reminded them to be more cautious and looking around for things that are out of place,” said Lieutenant Michael Blenman of CUPD.
The victim described the suspects as males wearing dark baggy pants and dark hooded sweatshirts, according to Hausner.
The Cornell Police are advising all students to report any suspicious or criminal activity directly to the CUPD or the Ithaca Police.
“In light of the recent incidents, it is scary to live on campus knowing the potential danger that surrounds you,” said Alison Mann ’04.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call CUPD at 255-1111 or the Ithaca Police at 272-3245
Eve Steele contributed to this story.
Archived article by Rachel Pessah