Police Information in reference to an Off-Campus Incident – JMUPD CFS # 2007-003380

TIMELY NOTIFICATION BULLETIN

Possible Threat to the Community

"Your Right to Know"

April 11, 2007

In compliance with the "Timely Notice" provisions of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998 the Campus Police are giving notice of a disturbing act of violence that reportedly occurred off-campus.  The incident is alleged to have occurred in the parking lot of the Westport Village apartment complex located off of Port Republic Road.  JMU students predominate as residents of the off-campus apartment house complexes that exist in this area.  According to the victim, the alleged armed robbery occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m., Monday evening, April 9, 2007.  The incident reportedly involved the use of a weapon described as a black handgun.  The victim was allegedly robbed of personal items including a JMU T-shirt and Jacket by two perpetrators. 

REPORTED OFFENSES:   ARMED ROBBERY

SUSPECTS:    The suspects were described as two black males in their mid twenties in a black two door Honda vehicle.  No further physical description of the suspects or identifying characteristics of the vehicle are available.

THE EVENT:    A man reportedly was robbed by two black male suspects operating a black two door Honda vehicle at approximately 9:00 p.m., Monday evening, April 9, 2007 in the parking lot of Westport Village Apartments.

The victim, age early 20s, stated that he was confronted by two black males who approached him while he was walking in the parking lot of the Westport Village apartment complex off of Port Republic Road. The suspects were riding in a black two door Honda vehicle.  The passenger of the vehicle brandished a black handgun out the window of the vehicle and demanded that the victim remove his JMU Jacket and T-Shirt and give it to them.  Victim complied with the demand and removed the items of clothing, suspects took the items from him and then drove off.

It can be assumed that conditions continue to exist that may pose a threat to members of the community.  It is the duty of the institution to warn of possible "dangerous conditions" on or near its campus, and at affiliate organizations off campus; an "affirmative duty" exists to warn persons associated with this university of possible peril at the hands of some third party or parties.

The victim in this incident has not filed a report with the Harrisonburg Police Department.  However, if anyone has information related to this event, similar events or possible suspect information, please call Crime Solvers at 574-5050, contact the Harrisonburg Police at (540)434-2545; report in person at the Harrisonburg Public Safety Building Street, northwest corner of North Main and Elizabeth Streets; or on the web at the HPD “Contact Us” site: http://www.ci.harrisonburg.va.us/index.php?id=299. 

The JMU Police Department can be notified by calling (540)568-6913; reporting in person the University Police Department Headquarters located in Anthony Seeger Hall at 821 South Main Street, Southwest corner of South Main Street and West Grace Street intersection;  by e-mail  publicsafety@jmu.edu, or anonymously through “Silent Witness,” http://www.jmu.edu/pubsafety/SilentWitness.shtml. 

Public safety recommendations emphasize the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings, security of residences,  the development of good personal safety habits and that you report any potential criminal or suspicious activity in a timely manner to public safety officials.

Thank you.