3 More Robberies Saturday Prompts Rutgers to Add Patrols

New Brunswick, NJ - Three robberies occurred after midnight Friday night in New Brunswick, campus police said, two of which involved a gun and the third involved the victim being punched. This comes after a Rutgers student was violently robbed while walking behind the Cook/Douglass campus greenhouses on Thursday night, police said. This also comes after a woman said she was nearly kidnapped while walking alone downtown on Dec. 5.

In response to the crime wave, Rutgers police are adding patrols in New Brunswick’s 2nd, 5th and 6th wards. You will see a visibly increased police presence by the College Avenue campus, and the Cook/Douglass campus, Rutgers police vowed on Saturday.

The first robbery occurred at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, police said, on Morrell Street between Sicard and Wyckoff streets. The victim, who is part of Rutgers University, said he was approached by two men, one of whom displayed a handgun and demanded items of value before fleeing the area on foot. The victim was not physically injured.

The second robbery occurred at 2:45 a.m., on Mine Street near the intersection with Easton Avenue. This time, two victims said they were approached by an older African-American teen, about 18 to 20, who struck them with his fists, robbed them and then fled. A Rutgers police officer who was in the area chased him on foot, but the suspect got away. The victims, who were not part of Rutgers, sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention.

Lastly, a third robbery was reported Saturday at 3 a.m. at the intersection of Nichol Avenue and Handy Street. A Rutgers student said he was approached by two men who offered to sell him marijuana. When he refused, the two men displayed handguns and forcibly removed items of value before fleeing the area on foot. The victim was not injured.

Rutgers University Police say they are taking the crime spree seriously, and strategically adding more patrols to certain areas of the city because of it.

Rutgers police also want to remind the community that they will provide security escorts upon request. Should you choose to request this service, please plan a few minutes ahead so police have ample time to meet you at your location. The phone number to request that service is (732) 932-7211.