Student robbed at gunpoint on UC Berkeley campus
BERKELEY, Calif. (KGO) -- There is a lot of concern on the UC Berkeley campus after a student was robbed at gunpoint while walking on campus. ABC7 News is looking at what police and school officials are doing about the rise in crime surrounding the campus.
The campus of UC Berkeley offers a certain sense of security and students say they generally feel safe walking around on campus.
However, just after midnight Friday morning, a 20-year-old male student was robbed at gunpoint while walking down Spieker Plaza next to Haas Pavilion. The two men took his wallet and cellphone.
UC Police Lt. John Suezaki said this incident is "raising some red flags."
Police say armed robberies are not that common on campus, but people have been getting robbed about once a week in the neighborhoods just south and west of campus.
"In the outskirts in Berkeley, it's more common. It just alerts us that it is coming now onto campus more," Suezaki said.
With the semester about to begin and more students populating the campus, UC police are afraid these crimes of opportunity will be on the rise. That's why they're recommending students call BearWALK.
BearWALK is a free, door-to-door night safety service for students.
Cal student Christian Menendez said, "You know these things don't often happen, but when they do, they make feel like, 'Oh, maybe I should talk to BearWALK.'"
Police also recommend walking in groups and putting away the electronic devices. Detectives are also checking to see if surveillance cameras captured Friday's robbers.
