Following two off-campus armed robberies on Saturday (Oct. 4), West Virginia University Police is giving the campus community tips to stay safe and avoid dangerous situations.

Morgantown Police is currently investigating two armed robberies that occurred over the weekend – one early Saturday morning near the High Street Dairy Queen and another late Saturday night at a residence on North Spruce Street. Anyone with information concerning the robberies is asked to contact Morgantown Police at 304-284-7522.

WVU Police offers the following tips for students:

  • When you are traveling on foot or in your car, pay attention to your surroundings. If you sense something is wrong, leave the area immediately.
  • When traveling at night on foot, travel in numbers of two, threes or in large groups.
  • When out walking alone, walk briskly and confidently. Avoid isolated areas, shortcuts and deserted parking lots.
  • Avoid going to ATM machines after dark.
  • If you see someone suspicious or feel you are being followed, go to a populated or well-lit area or activate one of the 37 Blue Tower Emergency Phones located on campus. Don’t be afraid to call the police if you suspect you are being followed.
  • If you are the victim of a robbery, follow the instructions of the robber.
  • Do not argue or attempt to fight with your assailant.
  • Remember that the motive in most robberies is to steal, and once the perpetrators have what they want, they will leave. Comply with their requests and remember that money, jewelry and other valuables can be replaced. Never do anything or take any action that may increase your risk of being a victim of physical violence.
  • Make a mental note of the description of the suspect. Try to remember what they looked like (height, weight, hair, skin color, facial hair, scars and tattoos). Make a mental note of what they were wearing (pants, shirt, jacket, shoes, etc.). If a vehicle is involved, try to get the license number, call the police and report the incident as quickly as possible. Quick reporting and a good description may give the police the information needed to apprehend the suspect.

Other campus safety tips can be found at http://police.wvu.edu/campus-safety/campus-safety. More personal safety tips are available at: http://police.wvu.edu/campus-safety/personal-safety.

-WVU-

td/10/07/14

CONTACT: University Relations/News
304.293.6997

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