A rash of robberies and carjackings has occurred in the University District, with over nine incidents in less than one week's time. In many of these crimes, the suspect/suspects were reportedly armed.
The string of robberies began on Thursday, with four robberies occurring within four hours' time - two in the University Heights area and two in North Buffalo. On Friday, two students were mugged separately on Custer Street at approximately 9:50 p.m. and 9:55 p.m., respectively. During the first incident, the suspect was armed with a gun; the second victim was robbed at knifepoint, according to Michael DeGeorge, Buffalo Police Department (BPD) spokesman.
Then, Sunday, a student was robbed at gunpoint on the 200 block of Lisbon Avenue. On Monday, a sixth victim was robbed and carjacked on Merrimac Street and a seventh victim was robbed at gunpoint on Engelwood Avenue. Approximately five minutes after those attacks, another armed robbery occurred on Minnesota Avenue. Buffalo police believe the latter are connected.
Two armed suspects robbed the first student and made off with the victim's cell phone, iPod and an undisclosed amount of cash, according to DeGeorge
At last report on Tuesday, a student was robbed on Merrimac Street at gunpoint.
According to police reports, one suspect is described as a black male, about 5-feet-7-inches tall and 160 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and was wearing a red sweatshirt at the time.
The second suspect in the armed robbery is described as a black male approximately 6-feet tall who was wearing a mask that was covering his face and a black coat at the time.
A connection between these armed robberies and the robberies that occurred on Friday night after 9 p.m. cannot be confirmed by the BPD at this time.
One suspect involved with the robberies on Custer Street is a black male, approximately 21 years old, 6-feet-4-inches tall with a dark complexion and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt at the time, according to the University Police Department (UPD). The second suspect is a black male, about 5-foot-4-inches tall, 130 pounds and was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt at the time of the robbery.
So far, four of the robbery victims are reported to be UB students; however, the BPD cannot say at this time that the suspects of the four robberies are targeting people in a particular age group.
"We couldn't say one way or the other," DeGeorge said.
BPD advises all students to remain aware of their surroundings.
"We all tend to be distracted by phones, iPods, text messaging. Look behind you every now and then," DeGeorge said. "Be aware of where you are. If at all possible travel with a friend or a group especially later in the evening or early morning hours."
Mary Clare Fahey, off-campus services and relations coordinator, said some of these incidents have involved a black male with a silver gun. She encourages students to be aware of their surroundings, especially as Halloween weekend approaches, and to not walk alone and to utilize the Anti-Rape Task Force.
"I think students aren't realizing what a serious thing it is," she said.
Fahey recommends that students not stop if they are spoken to on the streets, even if it's by someone asking for directions.
"Don't walk alone... don't stop when people are asking for directions on the streets, don't worry about being rude," Fahey said. "Students should be especially careful... this is right in our backyard."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
