Northwestern University Police say a male student was robbed late Monday night while walking through the parking lot of Engelhart Hall, a graduate student residence at 1915 Maple Ave.
The victim told police that two men approached him from behind. The first one grabbed him by the neck as the other brandished a large wooden stake.
The two demanded money and the victim turned over $10 in cash and his iPhone.
The robbers then fled westbound on Foster Street.
The student, who was not injured, called police on an emergency phone.
Evanston and university police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects, who were described as both being thin black males about 5-foot-7- to 5-foot-8-inches tall. One was said to be wearing a black tank top and a black baseball cap worn backwards.
University police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 847-491-3456.
Mini Crime Wave
From the latest police crime blotter:
Saturday 5/28 3:50 AM– Strongarm Robbery, FOSTER/RIDGE, 5/28/11, 3:50, 11-013099: punched victim and demanded his money, Sidewalk/Public, WALLET W/CONTENTS, 2 M's
Later on Saturday 5/28 11:22 PM– Strongarm Robbery, 2000 blk RIDGE AV, 5/28/11, 23:22 11-013122: Punched victim and demanded his money, Alley, U.S.C., 2 B/M mid 20's
Then Monday's strongarm robbery at Foster & Maple, two robbers again. Sounds like the same two guys are roaming around just east of the Civic Center, they must have taken Sunday off from "work."
No crime wave….
This is no "crime wave" and it's nothing unusual. It only seems out of the ordinary because Evanston Now has begun to report ALL the crimes each week. These crimes happen all the time and I applaud Evanston Now for making everyone more aware.
It is something unusual …
… in this neighborhood. I have lived within a couple of blocks of all three of these crime scenes for 20 years and I don't ever recall this happening before. A robbery or mugging here and there, yes, but never three in such a short span. It is more than simply a change in reporting.