Northwestern University police say a male student was robbed late Saturday night on University Place in Evanston.
Police say that about 11:33 p.m. the student was walking southbound on Sheridan Road near University Place when a man approached from behind and asked what time it was.
The student pulled out his smart phone, told the man the time, and kept walking, turning westbound on University Place.
As the student continued walking between the 600 and 700 blocks of University Place, the man again approached from behind, grabbed the student and demanded that he turn over his phone.
The assailant said he had a knife, but didn’t show it. He then punched the victim in the face, snatched the phone from his hands and push him down.
The robber then fled westbound on University Place and southbound on Sherman Avenue. The victim chased after the offender but lost him as he approached downtown Evanston.
The victim contacted Evanston Police who responded along with Northwestern police, and officers unsuccessfully searched for the robber.
The victim declined medical treatment. Evanston police are investigating the case, and persons with information that could aid in the investigation are asked call 847-866-5000.
The victim described the robber as an 18- to 22-year-old black male about 6-foot-1 inches tall, weighing about 180 pounds and wearing a multi-colored striped hat and blue jeans.