An Augsburg student was robbed at gunpoint outside Anderson residence hall on Jan. 21 at approximately 1:15 p.m.. The student, noted by the DPS report, was a campus resident.
Reportedly, the student was looking at a phone when approached by two people who asked for the time, and then proceeded to show a black semi-automatic pistol in his waistband and demand the student’s wallet, shoulder bag and phone. The suspect then instructed the student to remove the phone’s SIM card and to disable its GPS setting.
The two suspects then proceeded toward 20th Ave. where witnesses reported a black Honda or Acura speeding toward Riverside.
According to DPS, the victim reported the robbers as a “Somali male, late teens-early 20s, thin, 130 lbs, 5-10 to 6-0, waist high black jacket with maroon hoodie underneath, appeared to be short black hair underneath hood, no facial hair (the assailant with the gun) and a Somali male, late teens-early 20s, thin, 6-0 to 6-2, gray hooded sweatshirt and khaki pants (the other suspect).” The “Star Tribune” referred to both suspects as “black males” with no mention of nationality.
According to the “Star Tribune,” the student was 32 years old. The “Tribune” also did not say the student was a resident.
The “Star Tribune” also reported a robbery about four blocks away at the U of M’s Hanson hall at 9:35 the following morning. In this case, the three suspects (one underage) were released without charges. The U did not release their descriptions, and police have not stated whether they believe the two crimes are related.
Timely notices have been placed around campus, and the Jan. 22 A-mail included a link to the notice. Resident students were forwarded the notice along with an invitation to a community forum held by DPS by Amanda Erdman at 6:55pm on the day of the incident.
One concern expressed during the forum was tailgating into residence halls, and Scott Brownell said this has been one of his priorities since he began working at Augsburg. Brownell also said that DPS patrols have been increased.
Information about this incident may be reported to DPS by calling (612) 330-1717.
This article first appeared in the Friday, February 2, 2018, Edition of The Echo.