Students Urged to Remain Cautious Following More Arrests
Police stress need for continued vigilance
Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore (left) says students should not let their guard down just because suspects have been arrested in connection with a string of armed robberies. Photo by Kalman Zabarsky
Please—don’t let your guard down.
BU leaders hammered that message after the arrests of suspects in the September 25 and October 5 armed robberies near the Charles River Campus. While congratulating the police work that led to the arrests—“This is good stuff,” says Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore (SED’87) of the developments—they stress that others may be responsible for a third robbery and a fourth, failed robbery attempt.
“The good news is we have suspects under arrest. However, it doesn’t negate the fact that we are in an urban environment,” Boston University Police Chief Thomas Robbins says. And “we haven’t tied the suspects under arrest…to the other crimes.”
“Be aware of your surroundings” as you travel campus and its environs, he advises.
Elmore echoes the advice. “We still have to be careful. This is a relatively safe city; however, it’s an urban environment, and we have to make sure we’re mindful of that. I encourage all members of the Boston University community to take the sorts of precautions you would normally take.”
One suspect turned himself in, accompanied by family members, on Thursday, and Brookline Police arrested two more Friday. Police continue to investigate the other two, possibly unrelated crimes.
Peter Fiedler, vice president for administrative services, pledges that “the University’s going to continue to put full resources behind the BUPD” to solve the crimes in collaboration with the Boston and Brookline Police.
At a Wednesday BU town meeting that drew about 250 students, Fiedler (COM’77), referring to BU President Robert A. Brown, said, “I’ve never seen him as upset with a situation” as with the robbery spree.
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 800-494-TIPS (8477), or text to CRIME (27463).
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