Attacker escapes without backpack
Elysia Khalil
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
A 19-year-old sophomore was caught off guard Friday night by a stranger who attempted to steal her backpack. Initially, she thought he was a friend playing a joke.
The victim was leaving the Student Union lab on her way back to her dorm in East Quad around 10:45 p.m. She didn't make it far, however. As she passed the hill and was approaching North Quad, she felt someone slide his arm between her back and her backpack.
Laughing and kicking as she was lifted up, the victim had no idea of the reality of the situation until she turned to see a man she didn't know.
The man, described as an African-American and estimated to be in his early 20s and about six feet tall, was wearing a large grey hoodie, dark jeans and dark tennis shoes and had an earring and noticeable facial hair.
The victim began to kick and scream until she was put down, the man's arm still between her back and her bag, as he tried to remove it forcefully.
At some point during the scuffle, the victim was struck across the face leaving a scratch and a bruise. She raised her hands in anticipation of another hit, and the man tried for a few more seconds to remove the bag to no avail.
No other witnesses have come forward yet, but public safety officers believe something or someone scared off the robber. The victim saw the man run down the sidewalk behind North Quad to the parking lots.
Public safety reportedly found a bicycle by the gates but was not certain if it belonged to the same man.
The Detroit Police Department was also on campus that night, and a public safety officer wondered whether the man was someone Detroit Police were already looking for.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the UDM Public Safety Department at (313) 993-1234.
The victim was leaving the Student Union lab on her way back to her dorm in East Quad around 10:45 p.m. She didn't make it far, however. As she passed the hill and was approaching North Quad, she felt someone slide his arm between her back and her backpack.
Laughing and kicking as she was lifted up, the victim had no idea of the reality of the situation until she turned to see a man she didn't know.
The man, described as an African-American and estimated to be in his early 20s and about six feet tall, was wearing a large grey hoodie, dark jeans and dark tennis shoes and had an earring and noticeable facial hair.
The victim began to kick and scream until she was put down, the man's arm still between her back and her bag, as he tried to remove it forcefully.
At some point during the scuffle, the victim was struck across the face leaving a scratch and a bruise. She raised her hands in anticipation of another hit, and the man tried for a few more seconds to remove the bag to no avail.
No other witnesses have come forward yet, but public safety officers believe something or someone scared off the robber. The victim saw the man run down the sidewalk behind North Quad to the parking lots.
Public safety reportedly found a bicycle by the gates but was not certain if it belonged to the same man.
The Detroit Police Department was also on campus that night, and a public safety officer wondered whether the man was someone Detroit Police were already looking for.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the UDM Public Safety Department at (313) 993-1234.
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