Georgetown University

Public Safety Alert: Armed Robbery in West Georgetown

A student reported to DPS today, Friday, September 5, 2008, that at 1:30 a.m. in the morning, while walking near 35th & Dent Place, NW, he was approached by a black male wearing dreadlocks and dark clothing. The man pointed a black semi-automatic pistol at his face and told him to "shut-up and not move." At that time, a second black male wearing dark clothing approached the complainant from behind, placed his right forearm around the complainant's neck, and pulled his head backward. He began to strangle the complainant, while a third black male wearing dark clothing approached and removed the complainant's wallet and other personal effects from his pockets. The complainant reported that one suspect then asked one of the others if he "had gotten the cellphone yet?" and that all three suspects then ran in the direction of Dent Place and disappeared.

The complainant proceeded home and called DPS and MPD to file a report. The complainant reported that his cell phone, keys and keychain, passport, and a black leather wallet with his GoCard, check card, license and cash were stolen. All but the cash and cell phone were subsequently recovered on the lawn of a neighbor later in the day.

The Department of Public Safety is requesting that anyone who has information regarding this or any other incident(s), or who noticed any suspects before or after the incident(s), to contact them immediately at (202) 687-4343.

Incident

Date: September 05, 2008

Time: 1:30 AM

Location: Non-campus, West Georgetown

Address: 35th and Dent Place, NW

Incident type: Robbery

Respondents: Public Safety

Incident summary: On Friday, September 5, 2008, at 1:30 AM, a student walking at 35th and Dent Place, NW, was approached by three black males and robbed at gunpoint.

A student reported to DPS today, Friday, September 5, 2008, that at 1:30 a.m. in the morning, while walking near 35th & Dent Place, NW, he was approached by a black male wearing dreadlocks and dark clothing. The man pointed a black semi-automatic pistol at his face and told him to "shut-up and not move." At that time, a second black male wearing dark clothing approached the complainant from behind, placed his right forearm around the complainant's neck, and pulled his head backward. He began to strangle the complainant, while a third black male wearing dark clothing approached and removed the complainant's wallet and other personal effects from his pockets. The complainant reported that one suspect then asked one of the others if he "had gotten the cellphone yet?" and that all three suspects then ran in the direction of Dent Place and disappeared.

The complainant proceeded home and called DPS and MPD to file a report. The complainant reported that his cell phone, keys and keychain, passport, and a black leather wallet with his GoCard, check card, license and cash were stolen. All but the cash and cell phone were subsequently recovered on the lawn of a neighbor later in the day.

Victim(s):There were no physical injuries sustained by the victim.

Victim(s) status:The victim was not hospitalized and did not report any physical injury.

Witness description of suspect(s):Three black males wearing dark clothing. One wearing "dreadlocks" and armed with a black semi-automatic pistol.

Safety Reminder

The Department of Public Safety would like to remind all students to practice the following security measures:

  1. On campus students should call DPS at 202-687-4343 regarding any safety concerns.

  2. Off campus students with immediate safety concerns should call MPD at 911 and DPS at 687-HELP.

  3. Practice security at home by not propping doors open, always keeping doors and windows locked, even when you are in residence, and not opening the door to strangers.

  4. Students noticing suspicious activities or individuals loitering around entrances to residence halls, apartments, or townhouses should immediately notify DPS at 202-687-4343.

  5. Students may utilize the services of THE SHUTTLE or DPS SAFERIDES escorts as a means of providing safe passage off-campus. Call 784-RIDE for DPS SAFERIDES escorts.

Georgetown University's Department of Public Safety (DPS) notifies the campus community when crimes are reported to DPS or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) which the University believes represent a threat to its students or employees, in a manner consistent with the Campus Security Act. The University uses its best efforts to provide information that is both accurate and helpful, but community members should recognize that the University is able to relay information only as it is reported to DPS and/or MPD.