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(City of Columbia Reporting)
Date and
Time of Incident: June 20, 2008 between
hours of 12:00 am and 1:00 am
Type of Alert:
Armed Robbery
Location:
Greene and Laurens Streets
Suspect
Description:
Suspect #1: Black male, approx. 6'-2" ,
180
lbs, wearing jeans and a long white short sleeved t-shirt.
Suspect #2: Black male (no
other descriptions available)
Driving black in color 4 door
Honda possibly 1998-1999.
Incident
Victim was walking home from Five
Points area on Greene towards Laurens Street and was approached
by a Suspect #1 with a weapon telling her to give him her purse.
She complied and he ran a few feet to black in color 4 door
Honda driven by Suspect #2 heading towards Laurens and Gervais
St.
Here are several ways to protect yourself from
this type of crime:
-
Be alert
in the community and aware of your surroundings at all
times.
-
Try to
walk places with a friend or friends rather than alone.
-
Walk and
park in well-lighted, well-traveled streets.
-
Avoid
shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
-
If you
think someone is following you, switch directions or cross
the street. If they’re still there, move quickly toward an
open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid
to yell for help.
-
Call
police if you see something that seems suspicious.
-
Use the
nearest Call Box to alert the USC Police Department so
they'll know your location and situation.
-
Be wary of anyone approaching to ask for money,
time, or directions. Criminals do these things to distract their
intended victims.
-
Trust your gut instinct; don’t be afraid to offend
someone or draw attention to yourself.
-
Carry a noise making device, such as a whistle or
screech alarm.
-
Attend a free Personal Safety Program offered by
the University Police. Please contact the Office of Crime Prevention
at 777-0855 or 777-4215.
Date and
Time of Incident: June 5, 2008 at 6:45
pm
Type of Alert:
Solicitation
Location:
On & Off USC Campus
Incident
Residence, both on campus and off, have recently been
approached by individuals claiming to be USC students who are
selling magazines to raise money for studying abroad. They have
claimed to work for Prestige Sales and/or Express Sales. On June
5, 2008 at approximately 6:45pm individuals approached a
residence claiming to be USC students raising money to travel to
Europe. The individuals were reported to be selling books and
magazines subscriptions. This also happened in April of this
year at Woodrow Dorm. USC does not sponsor door to door
solicitations for travel abroad students.
Here are some safety tips to remember when
approached by door to door salespersons:
1. You do not have to answer your door even if they knock
several times.
2. If you answer the door always asked for identification and
business license that they should have on their person.
3. Never allow solicitors or strangers in your home or dorm,
even if they are asking to use the restroom or asking for
something to drink.
4. Be aware of salespersons who attempt to present themselves as
working for specific organizations.
The University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement and
Safety is working hard to stay abreast of crimes and how to best
protect our campus community. Report activity such as this and
all suspicious activity to the USC Police Department at
803-777-4215 or call 911.
Date and
Time of Incident: June 3, 2008
Type of Alert:
Assault
Location:
Flinn Hall
Suspect Description:
Black male, late 20’s, approx. 5'5" , 240
lbs, black hair styled in small twists. Suspect was
wearing black pants, a red t-shirt and dirty shoes.
Here are several ways to protect yourself from
this type of crime:
-
Be alert
in the community and aware of your surroundings at all
times.
-
Try to
walk places with a friend or friends rather than alone.
-
Walk and
park in well-lighted, well-traveled streets.
-
Avoid
shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
-
If you
think someone is following you, switch directions or cross
the street. If they’re still there, move quickly toward an
open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid
to yell for help.
-
Call
police if you see something that seems suspicious.
-
Use the
nearest Call Box to alert the USC Police Department so
they'll know your location and situation.
-
Be wary of anyone approaching to ask for money,
time, or directions. Criminals do these things to distract their
intended victims.
-
Trust your gut instinct; don’t be afraid to offend
someone or draw attention to yourself.
-
Carry a noise making device, such as a whistle or
screech alarm.
-
Attend a free Personal Safety Program offered by
the University Police. Please contact the Office of Crime Prevention
at 777-0855 or 777-4215.
The University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement and
Safety is working hard to stay abreast of crimes and how to best
protect our campus community. Report all suspicious activity to
the USC Police Department at 803-777-4215 or call 911. If you
have further information regarding this individual or this case,
contact the USC Police Department at 777-4215
Date and
Time of Incident:
Since April 14, 2008 to Present
Type of Alert:
THEFT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
Location:
Columbia Campus, Richland County & Lexington County
Other areas around the state
Suspect Description:
No known description(s) at this time
Incident:
Since April 15, 2008 we have had multiple
reported incidents of catalytic converters stolen from vehicles
on the Columbia Campus. Catalytic converters are being cut
and removed from the vehicle's exhaust pipes and undercarriage.
The converters are targets because they have small traces of
metals-platinum, palladium and rhodium and that can be resold on
the open market. Vehicles that may be targeted are
vehicles with a higher than average ground clearance such as
large passenger cars, SUVs, trucks and vans. Nissan
pick-up trucks have been the target of most incidents reported
on campus and in the Midlands. Most of the thefts are done
in parking garages or store parking lots and during the day.
Please report any suspicious person to USC Police at 777-4215.
| For additional safety advice and tips,
contact Cpl. Kenneth Adams at 777-0855 or via e-mail
adamskl@gwm.sc.edu.
Please be aware of any incidents and report ANY
suspicious activities to the UNIVERSITY POLICE: 911 or
777-4215. To learn how to avoid violent crimes and how to
maximize your personal safety, visit the
Safety Tips page.
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