Northwestern University police say three men on bikes tried to steal a cell phone from a student walking on campus late Tuesday night.

Police say the male student was on the South Quad walkway behind Cahn Auditorium about 10:40 p.m. when the trio rode up and two of them tried to grab his cell phone.

The student, who was not injured, managed to hang onto the phone, and the subjects, who he described as Hispanic males wearing black jackets, fled north on their bicycles.

After reaching his dorm the student contacted police. They searched the area and stopped a man matching the description, but police say the victim was unable to make a positive identification.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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1 Comment

  1. Cell phone grab

    The solution to cell phone "grabs" is really simple. 

    Stop using them while you are walking!

    Teach students, and everyone else to stop engaging in distracting behaviors when they are engaging in behavior that requires their attention. 

    Students and non students alike, all seem to think that they can yield to every impulse that they feel regarding the use of cell phones. Texting, video viewing, talking, reviewing music lists, using apps…all while they are walking or driving or doing something else. 

    It's nuts! 

    Would these same people feel comfortable if the pilot of an aircraft they were on was busy distracting himself by talking to friends and lovers, getting engrossed in a cool  youtube video, reordering  his favorites, or losing himself in his favorite music????

    If you are walking at night, stay alert: head up, shoulders back, look where you are going and be aware of your surroundings.

    Duh!

     

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