Thieves rob 3 University of Chicago students at gunpoint, school says

CHICAGO (WLS) — A group of thieves robbed three University of Chicago students at gunpoint on Saturday morning, the school said.

The school said the robbery happened in the Hyde Park neighborhood’s 5800-block of South Dorchester Avenue around 5:15 a.m.

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The three students were walking on the sidewalk when four or five armed people got out of a white Alfa Romeo SUV, the school said. The suspects demanded and took property from the victims before fleeing southbound on Dorchester in the SUV.

The school said the SUV did not have any license plates.

No injuries were reported, and the University of Chicago Police Department is investigating.

Some in the Hyde Park neighborhood are on edge after the crimes.

“It’s really terrifying,” student Ermeen Choudhury said. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard of this. A few of my friends have been mugged in this area.”

Many learned of the crimes after the school sent out an email.

“I was, I guess, surprised,” student Carolyn Montag said. “I know sometimes there will be security stationed at this corner.”

Some students helped at least one of the robbery victims.

“It was pretty concerning to see,” student Harrison Stallert said. “We just made sure his roommate was okay. He was coming back pretty late last night. We just checked in on him.”

In an email, Eric Health, University of Chicago Associate VP for safety & security, asked students and community residents to “be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, don’t resist an armed robbery unless absolutely necessary, (and) void using cellphones or other electronic devices while on the street.”

Students are being asked to familiarize themselves with where the emergency phones are and if they see something suspicious to make sure they report it.

“It’s terrible,” student Christian Askar said. “Safety is obviously a concern here. It’s always good to be smart about it.”

The school asked anyone with information to contact the Chicago Police Department or the University of Chicago Police Department at 123 from a university phone or at 773-702-8181 from other phones.

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