Local, campus police remind community of safety initiatives in wake of robberies

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The West Lafayette and Purdue University Police Departments are working together to investigate a recent string of strong-armed robberies that have occurred just off campus in the city of West Lafayette.

Around 2 a.m. Saturday (June 13), a victim reported being struck and robbed along Howard Avenue on the Levee. Later that same day, a Purdue student reported being struck and robbed by two males just east of the Dauch Alumni Center near the intersection of West Wood and South Grant streets. The third incident occurred shortly before midnight on Thursday (June 18) near the intersection of South Chauncey Avenue and West Wood Street. That victim, also a Purdue student, reported being struck from behind and robbed by two males.

During all three incidents, the victims reported wallets and cell phones being stolen, and all sustained minor injuries during the robberies and assaults.

West Lafayette Police Chief Jason Dombkowski said that while the city and university are not immune to random acts of violence, a series of strong-armed robberies like this is rare.

“Our community is one of the safest university communities in the nation,” he said. “Our patrol officers and investigators are working hard, and the West Lafayette City Police Department is making these cases a top priority.”

Purdue Police Chief John Cox said his department has investigated 10 robbery incidents since 2010, and five of those cases were solved.

“Purdue and the surrounding community are very safe compared to many college towns,” he said. “Our culture is one of safety on and around campus. These types of incidents tend to ‘surprise’ our community. We take these crimes very seriously and are spending a lot of time and resources to assist the WLPD.”

Cox reminds students, staff and visitors that the university and the Purdue University Police Department have a number of safety initiatives available.

“Our See Something-Say Something program is a national program that encourages individuals to report suspicious incidents or crimes immediately,” Cox said. “There are a series of blue-light emergency telephones on and off campus that work as 911 call stations when used.”

Anyone with information should contact the West Lafayette Police Department at 765-775-5200, the Purdue University Police Department at 765-494-8221 or the We-tip Hotline, which is used by all Greater Lafayette law enforcement agencies, at 1-800-78CRIME (1-800-782-7463). 

Sources:  John Cox, 765-494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu

Sgt. Matt Coddington, West Lafayette Police Department, 765-775-5200