Female Student Attacked in Robbery Attempt on Cal Campus

A UC Berkeley student was attacked and sustained minor injuries in an attempted robbery on the campus early Sunday morning, according to UC Berkeley police.

The 21-year-old woman was walking on Campanile Way, one of the main pathways in the center of campus, between Dwinelle Hall and Valley Life Science Building shortly before 3 a.m. when a male suspect ran up behind her, put his hand over her mouth, forced her to the ground and tried to take her purse, police said in a crime alert.

The woman managed to pull the attacker's hands away and began to scream, causing the assailant to flee, police said. She suffered minor injuries. Police said they didn't find the attacker.

It was at least the fourth nighttime robbery case in the campus area within in a week in which the victim suffered minor injuries. See also:

• "Victim Hit with Gun in Robbery Next to UC Berkeley Campus" (Dec. 13, 2013)
• "Employee Punched in Ice Cream Shop Robbery 2 Blocks from Cal Campus" (Dec. 13, 2013)
• "Female UC Student Attacked, Robbed – Suffers Minor Injuries" (Dec. 12, 2013)

Attempted Robbery

On Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 2:58 a.m. UCPD responded to Moffit Library on a report of an attempted robbery which had occurred a short time earlier on Campanile Way between Dwinelle Hall and Valley Life Science Building.  The victim, a 21 year old student,  was walking eastbound on Campanile Way and as she approached Dwinelle Hall she heard someone run up behind her.   The male suspect put his hands over the victim’s mouth and forced her to the ground.  The suspect attempted to take the victim’s purse.  The victim pulled the suspect’s hands away from her mouth and started to scream.  The suspect fled the scene running westbound towards Oxford Street.  The victim suffered minor injuries.  UCPD officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

The suspect is described as:

A male of unknown ethnicity, with shoulder length dark curly hair, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.

UCPD would like to remind the campus community about the following safety tips:

• Utilize the free Night Safety Services located at http://nightsafety.berkeley.edu 
• Travel with a friend or in a group
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings
• Avoid dark, vacant or deserted areas
• Use well-lit, well-traveled routes
• Dress in clothes and shoes which will not hamper movement
• When out and about, keep your electronic devices out of public view as they are a popular robbery target
• Dial 510-642-3333 or use a Blue Light emergency phone if you need help.
• Please do not delay in calling 911.  UCPD strongly encourages the reporting of criminal or suspicious activity in a timely manner to assist us in intervening in potential criminal activity and apprehending suspects.

University of California Police Department
Criminal Investigation Bureau 
(510) 642-0472 / 8AM-5PM 
(510) 642-6760 / All other times

As with any emergency situation, if you see suspicious activity, call 9-1-1.
From a cell phone, call (510) 642-3333.

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