A female University of Wisconsin student was the victim of criminal activity this past weekend, adding to the recent incidents of robbery littering the downtown Madison night scene.
Early Friday morning, around 2:05 a.m., a 21-year-old female UW student was robbed on the 200 block of West Lakelawn Place, according to a Madison police release.
The victim was approached from behind as she walked alone on the street. The suspect grabbed her around the neck and covered her mouth and demanded money, according to the release.
The victim was able to give the suspect an undisclosed amount of money from her purse. She was released but told "not to look" while the suspect fled the scene. The victim received no injuries and weapons were not used in the robbery.
The suspect, a white male, is described as 5-foot-10 and 175 lbs. with blond hair. During the robbery, he was seen wearing a hoodless black baggy jacket, baggy blue jeans and white athletic shoes, according to the release.
The suspect is still at large and any persons with information should contact the Madison police.
In an effort to gain awareness of recent crimes, Dean of Students Luoluo Hong sent an e-mail to UW students last week with information regarding campus crimes.
"You also have a role in fostering a safer campus. Please remember that your behavior both on- and off-campus is subject to the University of Wisconsin System Administrative Code," Hong said in the e-mail.
According to the 2003 campus crime statistics, there were six on-campus robberies in 2003, four on-campus robberies in 2002 and two on-campus robberies in 2001.
Other past incidents of late-night robbery in the campus area involved several female UW students.
A 21-year-old female UW student was robbed Oct. 1 on the corner of West Johnson Street and State Street. The woman was with a group of friends around 2:25 a.m. when the suspect approached her from behind and grabbed her purse and ran.
Two female UW students also were the victims of a robbery Saturday, Sept. 4, on the 600 block of North Henry Street and the 500 block of North Pinckney Street. Both women had only their purses stolen in the assault.
They received minor injuries.
