Two students were robbed at gunpoint last Wednesday at about 11 p.m. by two unknown men on the corner of Asbury Avenue and Josephine Street according to Department of Campus Safety (DCS) spokesman Stephen Banet.

The students were robbed of their book bags, wallets and their cellphones. The suspects are described as “two African American males in their 20’s, one 6’0” tall and the other shorter” in a crime alert released by DCS Thursday. The description also said the suspects were “both wearing dark colored hooded sweat shirts and pants” at the time of the robbery.

According to Denver Police Department (DPD) spokesman Aaron Kafer, there are currently no suspects in the case. However, police are looking through videotape evidence of the area from the time of the robbery.

The student victims were on their way to their off-campus home from the Anderson Academic Commons when they noticed the robbers following them, according to Banet.

“Over by Jordan’s they first noticed these two individuals standing on the corner across the street from them,” said Banet. “As they walked east on University and north on Josephine they discovered these two people were following them.”

Banet said that as the two students started to run away from their followers, the shorter suspect stood in front of them and pulled out a gun, and the suspects demanded the students’ items. After the robbery, the suspects reportedly ran from the scene.

The students filed a report with both DCS and DPD directly after the robbery.

In response to the crime, DCS has placed crime notices throughout campus and in the apartment buildings near campus according to Banet. Banet also said DCS officers and DPD frequently check the area where the crime occurred.

Banet said a similar armed robbery occurred in the same area two years ago, though the suspect descriptions in that case were different.

The crime alert released by DCS encourages anyone who notices suspicious people or activities to contact DPD or DCS, to remain alert at all times and to contact DCS for escorts when walking on or near campus alone.
Banet also encouraged anyone faced with a similar situation not to fight back.

“We never advise [anyone] to fight [when confronted with an armed robber]. As long as it’s a robbery, just give them what they want. Money, a wallet or a watch — all that can be replaced, but a person can’t be,” Banet said.
Anyone with information on the crime can contact DPD at 720-913-2000 or DCS at 303-871-3000.