Another University of Maryland student attacked, robbed in early morning (Video)

Prince George's County police say a University of Maryland student was injured this weekend when he was robbed by a group of people.

Comment

Police say the student was walking by himself on Hartwick Road in College Park on Sunday at 2 a.m. when he was attacked and grabbed by four men. According to a police report, one of the men tried to punch the student while another man took the student's wallet. Police say the men got away with cash.

"The suspects are definitely trying to outnumber the amount of victims so they have the advantage when they assault them," said Corp. Henry Tippett with Prince George's County Police.

Officers also say Sunday's robbery follows two similar attacks, including an Aug. 27 robbery. On Aug. 27, two female students reported several people robbing them in a parked car in a lot of a Route 1 hotel near campus. The assailants got away with a purse.

Officers have arrested a 15-year-old and 22-year-old Makthe Ndango, but they believe there are more suspects. Police have a warrant out for a third suspect.

According to investigators, on Aug. 29, five people approached three students at a bus stop on Berwyn House Road. Two of the students got away but one student was punched repeatedly in the face and robbed.

University of Maryland student Jason Sinyor commented, "They're definitely not just 'give me your wallet.' It's 'give me your wallet and let's beat you up.'"

While it's unclear if the attacks are related, all happen between one and two in the morning, putting students on edge.

Deirdre Farrell, also a University of Maryland student, said, "I guess you kind of have this mentality that it's not going to happen to you, but clearly, it can happen to anyone and it has. So, it's pretty frightening."

Student Paolo Marinucci told us, "So that's why it's kind of hard to believe because usually there's a bunch of people out you think something would happen or someone would step in because everyone's out around that time."

Students tell us that likely won't change, but they're definitely more aware and hope those people responsible for the robberies are caught.

Sinyor told us, "We do have a lot of policemen already, but there definitely should be better patrol maybe down College Avenue late at night at the wee hours of the morning, for sure."

A spokesperson for Prince George's County Police says officers will increase patrols near campus during the late evening and early morning hours.

No comments