GTPD investigates knifepoint robbery
By Ariel Bravy/ Student Publications
GTPD is continuing to search for the offender that on March 12 robbed a Tech student who was waiting near the Quizno’s on North Ave.
A male Tech student was robbed at knifepoint at 120 North Ave. near Quizno’s at approximately 2 a.m. March 12.
According to the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) report, the theft occurred as the victim waited on the sidewalk near Quizno’s for his girlfriend, who was moving her car from the Georgia State University (GSU) village.
After threatening the victim at knifepoint the offender took $40 in cash and then fled westward on North Avenue. He is described as an unshaven black male of approximately 30 years of age, standing six feet tall and weighing about two hundred pounds.
The offender was further described as having a slim build and wearing a green T-shirt, blue jeans and white athletic shoes.
According to Thomas Townsley, a GTPD Investigator, current investigations are directed at assembling a set of images for the victim to look at and identify the offender in addition to the usual response to this type of incident.
“In this case the victim is the only eyewitness. Right now we’re trying to put together some photographs for him to look at,” Townsley said. “So far we have not found anyone matching the given physical description.”
“We are patrolling the area around North Avenue and a number of officers are on foot patrol,” said Carla Cook, GTPD Public Safety Sergeant.
While GTPD is working toward reducing the crime rate it is considered imperative the students are knowledgeable about procedures that they should undertake during and after an incident.
“Be calm and don’t resist,” Cook said. “Nothing you could have on you is worth your life.”
Cook also talked about the importance of getting a decent description of the offender and communicating with the police as quickly as possible.
The student in this incident took nearly half an hour to communicate with police.
“It’s important that you carry a cell phone with the GTPD number stored. If your cell phone is taken, go to an emergency phone or flag down an officer,” Cook said.
Cook added that the quicker an incident was reported, the greater the chance of finding the perpetrator.
Cook added that students should always be aware of their situation and try not to be out alone.
“Be aware of your surroundings and don’t carry a large amount of cash,” Cook said.
While this is the first registered armed robbery so far this year there have been two aggravated assaults, defined as attempts to rob, near the Glenn and Cloudman Residence Halls on East Campus.
In response to these incidents, the GTPD held meetings in the courtyard near Glenn where anyone could ask questions and get information about issues dealing with security on campus.
Most students said they thought that the police presence on campus was excellent.
“The police presence here is excellent,” said Stephen Pinkerton, a first-year Computer Engineering major.
“I think the police are great,” said Skyler Wilburn, a second-year Chemical Engineering major. “The police force here is really good.”
Second-year Chemical Engineering major Matt Keiser said he agreed with Wilburn. He also said that students ought to use their common sense.
“You’ve got to be smart enough to not wander downtown Atlanta at 2 a.m. It’s not common sense,” Keiser said.
Crime alerts can be found on the GTPD website, www.police.gatech.edu. There is also the annual Campus Safety Walk where students, staff and faculty—including Institute President Wayne Clough—walk throughout campus and point out areas that have security hazards such as insufficient lighting and out of order emergency phones.
Townsley said he emphasized that all efforts would be made to find the offender in this case.
“We’re going to do what we can to catch this guy,” Townsley said.
