The MU Police Department continues to look into two robberies — one on campus, the other near it — that have taken place over the last three days.
A student was robbed Wednesday morning at the intersection of Conley Avenue and S. Ninth Street, the second incident in the last two days.
The victim, 21, was walking near Ellis Library when he was struck in the head from behind and pushed onto the ground face down, according to an MUPD news release. He was struck several times on the back of the head before the suspects took an unknown amount of cash from him and fled the scene in a vehicle.
The student was released from University Hospital with no apparent major injuries, according to the news release.
MUPD Capt. Scott Richardson said the victim did not know how many attackers there were or which direction they fled because he was pushed into the snow.
“All he knew was that there was more than one attacker,” Richardson said.
Richardson said there was no evidence to support a connection between this robbery and the armed robbery that happened Tuesday morning near the intersection of Rollins Street and East Campus Drive.
“At this point, there is no indication that they were connected,” Richardson said. “Our investigators are looking into it.”
This incident is labeled as a second-degree robbery and second-degree assault, whereas the first robbery was labeled a first-degree robbery, Richardson said.
“The difference in this incident is that there was no weapon or threat of a weapon,” he said. “In the first one, there was a gun displayed, which makes it first-degree.”
Richardson said the unusual weather has not impacted MUPD’s patrol staff in any way.
“We have the same amount of patrol officers as usual,” he said. “We’re full staffed.”
MUPD is investigating the individual robbery cases, but the actual patrols on the ground will remain the same, Richardson said.
“If you have to walk at night, walk in pairs and with people you know in well-lit areas,” Richardson said.
Anyone with any information concerning the robbery on Conley Avenue is requested to call Detective Mike Laughlin at (573) 884-2605, or Crime Stoppers at (573) 875-8477.
