[Updated July 31 at 5:23 p.m.]

St. Louis police have taken a suspected accomplice into custody but are continuing to search for the man who allegedly robbed a student at gunpoint by the Danforth Campus Tuesday morning.

At about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, a student was standing at a bike rack in the parking lot of 276 Skinker Blvd. when a man exited a blue Pontiac Aztec, approached him with a gun and demanded his cell phone. The man then took the student’s backpack before re-entering the car and fleeing the scene.

No one was hurt in the incident. Around noon Tuesday, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department found the vehicle and took a suspected accomplice in custody, though it is continuing to search for the robber and stolen property.

The suspect is believed to be a black male between 20 and 30 years old and around 6 feet in height. The woman currently in SLMPD custody is believed to have driven the getaway vehicle.

“I think it was a group of individuals that were looking to commit a crime and looking for an opportunity,” SLMPD Chief Sam Dotson said. “Unfortunately, this was an incident that occurred, but the good thing is we are on top of it.”

Because the department believes the robbery to have been an isolated incident, it is not changing its patrols in the area, which Dotson said continues to be fairly safe. According to SLMPD statistics, there were only five robberies in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood in the first half of this year, down from 10 in the same period of 2012.

The Washington University Police Department was notified of the crime and sent out a campus crime alert around 1 p.m. Tuesday.

276 Skinker Blvd. is home to the University’s Office of Public Affairs and alumni magazine.

Student Life has reached out to WUPD and is awaiting comment.

Incident reports from the respective departments are below.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department:
Incident: Robbery 1st
Location: 200 block of N. Skinker
Date/Time: 7/30/13 @ 08:20
Victim: 20-year old white male
Suspect #1: Black male, 20-25-years old, 6’-6’2”, 185lbs, dreadlocks, dark complexion, wearing a black T-shirt and black pants
Suspect #2: Black female, light complexion, wearing a sheet over her head
The victim was standing at a bike rack, talking on his cell phone when Suspect #1 exited a Blue Pontiac Aztec and approached the victim, displayed a firearm and demanded the cell phone. Suspect #1 took the phone and the victim’s backpack, which contained a laptop and personal items, then entered his vehicle and fled the scene west on Pershing, then right onto Skinker toward Page. Suspect #2 was seated in the vehicle during the incident. The Washington University Police Department was notified of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

Washington University Police Department:
TO: MEMBERS OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

INCIDENT: Robbery

LOCATION: 276 Skinker

WHEN: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at about 8:20 a.m.

SPECIFICS: At approximately 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, a student in the rear parking lot of 276 Skinker was approached by a suspect who displayed a hand gun and demanded his belongings. A laptop and cell phone were taken in this incident. The suspect then fled the scene in the vehicle described below. The victim was not physically injured. St. Louis City Police are investigating the incident.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Black male; 20 to 30 years of age; 6 feet in height; thin build; shoulder length dread locks; wearing all black clothing; his face was covered with a cloth with only his eyes visible. The suspect left the area in a Blue Pontiac Aztec, driving off in an unknown direction on Pershing. This vehicle was driven by a light-skinned black female who had covered her head and face with a cloth.

PRECAUTIONS:
· If you are confronted by a thief, give them what they want and don’t chase them as they
leave. Report suspicious persons or activity immediately to the Police.
· Be alert to your surroundings. If you suspect you are being followed, run in a different
direction; go to the other side of the street and yell or whistle for help; or head quickly
to a lighted area, a group of people, or an Emergency Telephone.
· Be extra cautious if someone approaches your car and asks for information.
· Avoid walking or jogging alone and never walk or jog alone after dark.
· Always choose a well-lit path and avoid dark or vacant areas.
· Carry a whistle to summon help.

RESPONSE: Report suspicious activities/persons immediately to the St. Louis City
Police at 9-1-1 or via Blue Light Emergency Telephone. Contact S.t Louis City Police if you
have any information that might assist in this investigation.

Issued: July 30, 2013