Two crimes occurred within two days near UCR last week. UCPD has yet to determine whether the crimes are connected to one another and are currently investigating both incidents.
Located near the intersection of Canyon Crest Drive and Blaine Street, the first crime occurred at 11:20 p.m. on Feb. 1. Two females were taking out groceries from their car when they were approached by two suspects who robbed them of their cell phones and cash. One suspect was armed with a handgun, but the victims were not hurt. The suspects ran north on Canyon Crest Drive and could not be found by police who arrived soon after.
Two days later, on Feb. 3, another crime occurred at 11:45 a.m. in front of Oban apartments. A female victim was walking on Linden Street when a suspect grabbed her phone from her hand and escaped. While pursuing the suspect, the victim stopped when she was threatened with what she believed to be a knife. The victim immediately went to the UCPD police station and reported the crime.
“Cell phones continue to be a frequently stolen item. UCPD encourages our community to be alert to the fact that small electronic devices are seen as items of value for criminals and should be treated accordingly,” read a UCPD email to the campus.
