11/05/2009 CRIME ALERT: STUDENT ROBBED ON HILLCREST AVENUE ON SMU CAMPUS
STUDENT ROBBED ON HILLCREST AVENUE
An SMU student was robbed at knife-point on Hillcrest Avenue as she was walking to her residence hall at about 3:30 p.m. November 4, 2009.
The student said she had left the north entrance of the Owen Fine Arts Center and walked between Peyton and Shuttles Halls to the sidewalk on the east (SMU) side of Hillcrest Avenue. She was walking toward her residence hall when she passed the suspect. When she reached the end of the Hamon Arts Library parking lot, the suspect tapped her on the shoulder and said, ???Give me your purse.??? When the student told him ???No,??? the suspect ran ahead of her and pushed her backward, grabbing her purse.
As the student and the suspect struggled over the purse, the suspect pulled out a knife-like object with a black handle and cut the student???s upper right arm three or four times. The student released the purse, and the suspect fled on foot heading south on Hillcrest Avenue toward Mockingbird Lane.
The student describes the suspect (pictured above in a composite sketch) as a black male 25-35 years old, about 6 feet 2 inches tall and 175 pounds, with a bald head and unshaven face. He was wearing a shiny, bright orange jacket zipped up to his neck, blue shorts, and sunglasses on his head.
Protecting Yourself
. Walk with a purpose and be aware of your surroundings.
. Stay with the crowd ??? there is safety in numbers.
. Don???t carry a purse loosely around your shoulder.
. If threatened, release the purse. DO NOT risk personal injury.
. Make a mental note of the robber???s appearance.
. Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in such situations.
Anyone with information about the suspect should contact the SMU Police Department at 214-7668-3333 or by e-mail at police@smu.edu.
If you wish to remain anonymous, call 214-SMU-2TIP or send an e-mail via smu.edu/2tip.