CRIME ALERT!
Recent assaults and robberies reported in the areas surrounding the campus areas.
To: Students
From: Mike Maloney, Chief, Chico Police Department
Eric Reichel, Chief, University Police Department
We want to alert you to a very serious escalation of assaults and
robberies recently in areas near the campus and how we can hopefully
prevent these crimes from occurring again.
On Saturday, May 9, at 3:30 a.m., a male CSU, Chico student, 18, walking
alone in the area of West 4th Avenue and Warner Streets was confronted
by an armed male suspect wearing a ski type mask who demanded the
student's property. The suspect and a second suspect in a nearby car
took the student's cell phone, which was later recovered.
Yesterday, May 10, at 4 a.m., a male CSU, Chico student, 21, walking
alone northbound on the railroad tracks between W. 5th and W. 3rd
Streets was approached by a male suspect described as white wearing a
light colored, hooded sweatshirt. Four other suspects subsequently
emerged from nearby bushes and the student was struck in the head by an
unknown object and fell to the ground. As the suspects began to go
through the student's pockets, witnesses came to the student's aid and
the suspects fled the area. The student suffered injuries to his face
but no loss of property.
At 4:45 a.m. yesterday, May 10, a 22-year-old male, not a CSU, Chico
student, was walking alone on the railroad tracks south of W. Sacramento
Avenue. A male suspect described as black wearing a dark colored hooded
sweatshirt struck the victim several times in the back of the head with
a hard object. The suspect asked for the victim's property, but the
victim was able to flee the scene. He suffered swelling on his head but
required no medical attention.
Another incident by the railroad tracks occurred April 15 on the bike
path near W. 8th Avenue and the 1600 block of Nord Avenue. A male
student, 28, was riding a bicycle home at approximately 9 p.m. when he
was knocked to the ground and beaten severely until losing
consciousness. The victim describes the assailants as three to five
young black males. Chico Police were called to the scene at 9:30 pm and
transported the victim to Enloe Hospital for treatment.
In all of these cases, Chico Police Department is actively seeking the
suspects involved. If you have any information about these or other
incidents, please call the Department's Detective Bureau at 897-5820.
For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
The Chico Police Department and CSU, Chico Police Department will be
increasing patrols in the area of the railroad tracks and working
together to explore other means to stop these violent crimes from
occurring again. The solving of these robberies and assaults, and the
prevention of any additional similar incidents are top priority for both
police departments.
There are also steps that each individual can take to reduce his or her
chance of being victimized:
* If at all possible, travel in groups, especially at night. The
suspects in these crimes have been targeting people who have been alone
on foot or on a bicycle.
* Whether alone or with others, always try to pick a well-lit
route, and if possible avoid areas that are isolated.
* Be aware of your surroundings. Being distracted or inebriated
makes it much more difficult to be aware and to react quickly.
* If you are going from one location to another on campus, the
Campus Connection Shuttle Service can provide a ride after dark. Use the
blue light phones on campus or call 898-5555 to ask for a ride. The
shuttle travels to the main campus, parking structure, parking lots and
University Village.
* Men should not feel a false sense of security that they might
be less of a target for criminals. All of the incidents reported above
involved male victims.
Our responsibility is to provide for your safety. We will do everything
possible to arrest those responsible in these incidents, and find ways
to keep other such incidents from happening. Thank you for your
cooperation.