Developing Story

Early Sunday morning, two university students were robbed at gunpoint outside of the C-Store, said Adam Brown, University of New Haven police chief.

Brown said that at about 12:20 a.m., the students were approached by a man who’d just gotten out of a vehicle near the students. The man stole a purse, got back into the vehicle, and the vehicle left.

This information was shared via email with the entire university community at 3:47 a.m. Sunday. According to Brown, the individual was a dark-skinned male around the age of 18 to 20, wore dark clothing and a black ski mask and stood at about 5-foot-8.

Another email update was sent Sunday afternoon, including pictures and descriptions of the suspects’ vehicle. According to Brown, the vehicle is a stolen 2019 Subaru Impreza hatchback/wagon that is white in color with a Connecticut registration AA 84695. It is also missing the left front hubcap and the taillights do not work.

Right after the robbery, both university police and West Haven police officers were on the scene. The West Haven detective division is conducting the investigation, Brown said.

At the university, there will be increased security patrols both on and around campus in the following days, according to Brown’s email.

Additionally, resources are currently being offered to students by the Dean of Students Office, according to a follow-up email sent by Dean of Students Ophelie Rowe-Allen.

Rowe-Allen said that “Students seeking support or additional resources are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office.” To do so, call (203) 932-743, or email [email protected].

Recently, gun violence around the country has spiked, following a period of reduced gun violence during the first year and a half of the pandemic. According to the New York Times, there have been 28 school shootings so far in 2021, with 20 of those shootings occurring since Aug. 1.

Although no one was injured in the robbery, in his email Brown reminded all students to “be vigilant at all times.”

This robbery follows a previous incident, in which students walking on campus were shot with paintballs from unidentified perpetrators driving by in a vehicle.

If you know anything about the robbery, contact UPD at (203) 932-7014.

If you experience or witness an emergency, you can use the LiveSafe App, or you can use the emergency line for UPD, (203) 932-7070.