By Vicente Vera
A group of four to six suspects traveling on electric scooters Wednesday afternoon allegedly assaulted a male student and robbed him of his cell phone in front of the University Police Department office, according to UPD.
A nearby UPD officer witnessed the altercation and was able to apprehend one of the suspects, while the rest of the alleged assailants fled the scene. A suspect was later apprehended after being identified by witnesses, while the others still remain at large.
The victim endured minor injuries but declined medical attention. His cell phone was recovered.
One suspect fled on foot toward sixth Street and disappeared into an alley behind 441 S. Sixth St.
An officer chased the suspect down the alley but retreated after a few moments. He then drew a weapon from his holster and pointed it down the alley. It is unknown whether this suspect was later apprehended.
One was described as a black male juvenile, approximately 6 feet tall and wore a black top with red skinny jeans.
“I live in Campus Village B, and these robberies are the reason I barely feel safe even walking back to my dorm,” public health sophomore Asia Mills said. “UPD should send text alerts since I don’t check my email all the time.”
Sunhera Paul, who is enrolled in San Jose State University’s master of computer science program said that she is scared to walk down East San Salvador Street because of this incident coupled with another where a student was kidnapped at 7-Eleven at the beginning of the semester.
“There should be more police presence on the outskirts of campus to stop this from happening so often,” Paul said. “I’m guessing this is normal here.”
