The suspect involved in a campus robbery May 5 near the sand volleyball courts by Hawthorn Hall was arrested at approximately 5:26 p.m. on May 6, according to a [University of Missouri Police Department news release.](http://mupolice.missouri.edu/pr/archive/2015/13-2015.php)
The robbery was reported to MUPD on Tuesday, wherein [MU Alert](http://mualert.missouri.edu/) stated that a light-skinned black male in his late teens to early 20s had committed a “strong-armed robbery” and drove off in a damaged, navy minivan with five to six others.
The assailant, 20-year-old Treshaun D. Butner, was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with robbery in the second degree, a class B felony. He was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance other than less than 35 grams of marijuana after officers uncovered one pill of Xanax on his person.
“We would like to thank the public for their help in identifying this suspect,” MU Chief of Police Doug Schwandt said in the release. “Through the quick actions of officers and the cooperation of witnesses, we were able to identify the individual and apprehend him quickly. We continue to work diligently to keep our campus safe and secure for our staff, faculty, students and guests.”
Butner is a Columbia resident. He is not an MU student. He was transported to the Boone County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $4,500 bond for possession of a controlled substance. An additional bond for second degree robbery has yet to be set.
The victim of this robbery, MU freshman Meghan Gray, said she had not been notified and had no idea that her attacker had been arrested when asked to comment.
“We notify victims when we have the time, however with this particular case our officers finished at 1:08 in the morning, and we didn’t feel that that was a good time to call,” MUPD spokesman Capt. Brian Weimer said. “News of the arrest was all over social media and was tweeted out by many news sources all morning. I think you’ll find with our victims that we make sure that they are well taken care of.”
Other than victim care, Weimer said another primary concern of the department is keeping students safe and equipping them with the tips they need to minimize their risk of harm. Students should always try to go places in pairs, should stay alert by not becoming distracted with phones and, when it gets to evening hours, students should make an effort to walk in well-lit areas, Weimer said. However, despite these precautions, Weimer noted that risk is not entirely diminished.
“It is critical to remember that you can do everything right, but you may still be the victim of a crime,” Weimer said. “Safety tips reduce your chances, but they certainly do not eliminate them, so we never blame the victim.”
With the news of her attacker being apprehended, Gray said she learned lessons she wishes other students will learn from as well.
“I am very relieved that he has been arrested, and I have now learned to always be aware of my surroundings,” Gray said. “I hope that other students now know that stuff like this can happen anytime and anywhere regardless of whether it is light outside or there are tons of people around. I will also take more precautions like carrying my wallet and my phone in a safer spot rather than my hands, and I hope that other students will do the same.”
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