Robbery attempted near Hamline University
St. Thomas' Public Safety Department shares the following information from Hamline University Safety and Security Services:
An robbery was attempted near the Hamline University campus at approximately 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 1.
A Hamline student was just off campus, in the alley behind Hewitt Avenue between Holton and Pascal, when he observed a man walking toward him. The man called, "Excuse me sir, can I ask you a question?" The student kept walking and proceeded west down the alley. He reported that the man then came up behind him and said "Don't look. I have a knife in my pocket. Do you have a wallet?" The student said he did not and that the man asked, "What do you have in the bag?" The student did not answer, and by this time another person started walking down the alley toward them and the first man fled. The student did not report seeing the knife or any other weapon.
The suspect in this incident was described as an African American man, 20 to 30 years old, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, of thin build, clean shaven, with ear-length dreadlocks. He was wearing a dark, hunter green or black windbreaker-style jacket, baggy dark blue jeans and a black Yankees baseball cap with a white "NY" logo.
The St. Paul Police were called and a report was prepared. Police checked the campus and the surrounding area but did not find the suspect. Extra police patrols and Hamline security officers will continue to monitor the campus and the neighborhood.
If you have information about this incident, please call Hamline's Safety and Security Services office, (651) 523-2100.
