By: KJ Mushung
Training Director

Another robbery occurred near the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College and ended with the suspects apparently fleeing to or through the apartments behind the college’s Tyler Building.

There have been three robberies on or very close to the Alexandria campus in recent weeks.

On Monday, March 12 at approximately 10:40 a.m., two Hispanic males approached a female from behind and stole her purse. The incident occurred between West Braddock Road and North Beauregard Street.

The suspects fled the scene on foot. Police K-9 dogs lost track of them at the apartments to the rear of the Tyler Building.

According to the Alexandria City Police Department, one suspect is 4-foot-11-inches to 5-foot tall and was wearing a gray-striped hoodie, a black ball cap and glasses. The second suspect was 5-foot to 5-foot-2-inches tall and was wearing a light-colored shirt.

Both the Alexandria and community college police departments are continuing their investigations.

Two robberies took place on the Alexandria campus in February, one on Feb. 6 and another Feb. 15. However, the descriptions of the suspects in all three crimes have been different.

NOVA police officer Lt. John Weinstein, commander of Safety District 3, told NOVA Fortnightly that, after the second robbery, the Alexandria campus police saturated the campus, even bringing in police officers from other campuses. They increased their presence and also used bicycle patrols to cover the campus quickly and check areas that are difficult to survey in an automobile.

Additionally, NOVA police met with members of the Alexandria City police so both departments could become more familiar with each other’s jurisdictions, and Alexandria police now have electronic maps of the campus.

The police department has distributed a list of safety tips for students and staff. Of the list, Weinstein said the best piece of advice is to be aware of your surroundings.

“We see people walking around all the time texting and wearing earbuds while they’re listening to music. They’re not aware of what’s happening around them, and predators prey on inattentive people,” he stated. “People just need to pay attention to their surroundings. They do that, I think that they may avoid becoming victims.”

But what if you, the reader, are approached by someone who demands money or your belongings?

“If somebody comes up behind you and they’re within striking distance, I would recommend [you] give up your goods. You don’t know that a person doesn’t have a weapon on them, and protecting your iPhone is not worth being beaten up or losing your life,” warned Weinstein. “On the other hand, if you can get away and duck into a building… you can do that.”

Weinstein also recommends that everyone at the college program the police dispatch number, which is one phone number that is usable for all six campuses, into their phones. That number is 703-764-5000.

Students, faculty and staff are asked to be on alert and report any suspicious activity.

Photo by: Kama Storie

By: KJ Mushung

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