University City Police have arrested a suspect involved in a recent string of student robberies over the past month. The suspect, 18-year-old Mark Blount, was apprehended Monday morning, after confessing to a robbery that occurred shortly before noon that morning, as well as to a second robbery on Oct. 30 near the Greenway Walkway.
“He confessed to the robbery yesterday and the one at knife-point,” said Washington University Police Chief Don Strom.
According to Major Charles Adams, deputy chief of police for University City, the arrested suspect approached a women walking over a walkway yesterday at 11:40 a.m.
“He accosted her, placed a knife to her neck and demanded her wallet. She complied, he took the wallet and fled eastward,” said Adams.
The man was apprehended by Lieutenant William Anderson at Washington Avenue and Westgate.
“After stopping him, they searched the area. They found the weapon, purse, and other things he placed in a particular spot. At that time the man implicated himself in that robbery and an additional [one],” said Adams.
Although a suspect has been arrested, an investigation will still continue. Adams said a warrant has been issued for one of the robberies. Meanwhile, the suspect will be taken to St. Louis County Department of Welfare, where he will be held until he either goes to court or can make bond for the charges.
“[Blount has] no affiliation with the University, none that I know of,” said Adams.
A number of recent incidents have included robberies late at night, usually involving one or two students. The incidents have led to increased patrol efforts on the part of both University City and WUPD. Strom believes such measures to have been integral in apprehending the suspect.
“We’ve been running joint patrols there, particularly during the evening hours. It was a nice piece of partnership. We felt the intensity of those patrols led to the arrest,” said Strom.
While students can feel relieved that the suspect has been arrested, Strom stresses that “you can’t be too cautious when walking, particularly at night.”
“There’s always concern [for students living in U City], it’s just normal. Anybody should always be alert,” said Adams.
Both Strom and Adams were clear that there are still certain precautions that should be taken. Some of Strom’s tips include walking in well-lit areas and not wearing headphones, as they can be a distraction. Strom also warned, “If you are confronted by a thief, give them what they want and don’t chase them.”
“We coincide with their sentiment,” said Adams. He added that it is important that people walk in pairs and always be aware of their surroundings. ” Trust your instinct,” he noted.
Although an arrest has been made, Adams said University City police will continue to be on the lookout for crime in the area. “We plan to stay as vigilant as possible,” he said.