U Of C Campus On Alert After Armed Robberies
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The word is spreading in Hyde Park, through email and social media: be careful.
In the last week alone, there have been four armed robberies near the University of Chicago campus. People tell us they find the timing of the crimes especially alarming.
"I was very surprised this was happening in the middle of the day," said student Olivia Tse.
At least two of the four armed robberies happened after 8 in the morning, when lots of people are on the University of Chicago campus.
"My roommates and I were a little bit scared because it happened around our block," Tse said.
A gunman took wallets, cellphones and computers.
Erin Maloney and Mark Outram are out often with their toddler.
"Obviously, we're comfortable enough to be walking around with our daughter," Outram said.
Three University of Chicago students and a school employee were robbed. An email warning went out and some see a greater police presence.
"I think the university is doing a good job," Maloney said. "They're beefing up patrol in the area in which the area occurred and I think as far as I can tell they're doing everything they can to protect us and our families."
The University of Chicago has long been one of the world's great schools and today its Hyde Park home is enjoying a renaissance with new businesses, restaurants and a hotel.
People living here tells us they're a little more alert.
"I probably need to watch out and be more careful after hearing about all these people getting mugged," Tse said.
The armed robber is described as a black man, about 5-11, between 18 and 21 years-old with a light complexion and a tattoo on his neck.
