Police Information in reference to an Off-Campus Incident – HPD CFS # 2007-047696

TIMELY NOTIFICATION BULLETIN

Possible Threat to the Community

"Your Right to Know"

July 12, 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 within fifty feet of campus property.  The incident is alleged to have occurred at Mike’s Food Mart convenience store, 1050 South Main Street (east side), just south of the railroad crossing and the main entrance to campus.  The store clerk was allegedly robbed by two perpetrators of an undisclosed sum of money.  The alleged armed robbery occurred at approximately 10:11p.m., Wednesday evening, July 11, 2007.  The incident reportedly involved the use of a handgun and possibly a knife.  Mike’s Food Mart is surrounded by campus and affiliate properties; Theater II to the north, Landscaping Services and the “K” Parking Lot to the east, Campus Catholic Ministries to the south, and the JMU Financial Services complex to the west across South Main Street.  JMU students and employees predominate as customers of this convenience store. 

REPORTED OFFENSE:   ARMED ROBBERY

SUSPECTS:    The suspects were described as two males, 5 feet 2,to 5 feet 5. 115 to 130 lbs, having Hispanic accents, wearing black attire and black ski masks. No further physical description of the suspects or identifying characteristics are available at this time.

THE EVENT:   The Harrisonburg Police say two men, wearing black masks armed with a pistol and possibly a knife, robbed Mike's Food Mart on South Main Street.  After demanding money the men ordered the clerk and a customer to the floor.  They then fled on foot in an unknown direction.  Reportedly no one was hurt in the robbery.

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.

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 Dispatcher now at (540)434-4436; 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. 

As always 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.