Oct 1, 2008 6:06 pm US/Pacific
More Security At Berkeley Dorm After Armed Robbery
BERKELEY (AP) ―
University of California, Berkeley police are putting an increased officer presence around the Clark Kerr Campus, where two suspects broke into a residential suite early Tuesday morning and robbed two students at gunpoint, university Assistant Police Chief Mitch Celaya said Wednesday.
Police have redirected patrol resources and are working with residential housing staff to provide safety tips and information about safety services, according to Celaya.
The robbery happened around 12:50 a.m. Tuesday when the suspects snuck through an open kitchen window in a residential suite in Building 17.
One suspect entered a bedroom with two 18-year-old students inside. He turned on the light, slammed the door, brandished a gun and demanded one of the men's laptop.
The two suspects then left through the front door with the laptop, according to police
University and city police searched the area, but did not locate the suspects.
"I cannot think of the last time something of this nature has occurred in a residence hall," Celaya said. "This is a very unfortunate, tragic incident, but it has, to this point, been rare."
Celaya said university officials have been receiving e-mails and phone calls from parents, asking what the campus is doing about the robbery.
He said, as part of the outreach effort, a residential housing meeting is scheduled to be held Thursday evening.
The Clark Kerr Campus has both residential halls and suites, and is located at 2601 Warring St., about six blocks away from the main campus.
No arrests have been made in connection with the robbery, which remains under investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the university police department at (510) 642-0472 or (510) 642-6760.
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