W&M Students Robbed at Gunpoint

W&M Students Robbed at Gunpoint

By WYDaily Staff Wednesday, August 25, 2010

wmlogo Williamsburg Police are investigating the armed robbery Monday night of four College of William and Mary students and a friend.

The group of two women and three men was walking in the 1300 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue around 10 p.m. when they were approached from behind by two unknown men who were armed with a handgun and possibly a knife. The suspects demanded personal items - their cell phones, wallets and cash. Both suspects are described as either black or Hispanic, in their late teens to early twenties and about 5'9" tall with a medium build.

No one was injured in the robbery, and the suspects fled on foot.

In a campuswide email, the College's Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler urged students to exercise caution, even when out in a group in a community as relatively safe as Williamsburg.

"There may be nothing we can do to fully insulate ourselves from the reality of crime in our world," Ambler wrote. "At the same time, it is helpful to remember that there are measures we can and should take to increase our level of personal safety. When venturing out after dark it is always wise to travel with friends or call ESCORT (221-3293) for a safe walk/ride. And, as the students in this case did, call the police immediately if something happens to you or if you see suspicious activity - on campus or off, use 911."

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the police at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or 757-220-2331.

Comments

+1 #13 Guest 2010-08-28 14:24

No one is saying that NN is a bad town. However when one commits a crime and other people find out that they are from a certain town, it reflects on the entire town itself. So either live with it or change it, either way it is what it is.

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+2 #12 Guest 2010-08-27 21:02

Calling the police after the fact, if you are able, does no good, especially the victims. It will just be reported as another robbery or evean robbery and murder. As the old saying goes, when seconds count, the police arrive in minutesQuoting JSmith:

I agree with the author you should call the police immediately after the incident to file a report... Of course that is all the police can typically do. I'm disparaging our officers, but it is impossible for them to be everywhere at once. Thus the most we can expect from them is to respond to a call for help.

Now the criminals have the student's personal items, personal information and home address if they were carrying a driver's license. The police, of course, will be at hand to file the next report when the thugs come to rob their houses.

As for Ginger Amblers's quote "There may be nothing we can do to fully insulate ourselves from the reality of crime in our world," I must agree. However, I also keep on hell of a deterrent in my pocket holster. I would like to see the story where the students stopped the robbers and held them at gunpoint for the police.

These kids need more than a cell phone and Safety Escort. They need someway to protect themselves from crime. Get some pepper spray, take a karate class or invest in some firearms training, but don't be another victim.

PS - I know some people will disagree with the firearms, but these kids were absolutely lucky that this didn't progress any further. What if the kids didn't have money and this agitated the thugs more. What if it was just the two women? What other crimes will these criminals commit between today and whenever they get arrested?

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+2 #11 Guest 2010-08-27 06:59

As a criminal justice and psychology major in college, I can confidently say that if the students had been carrying a gun, they situation would have been statistically much worse. The robbers in this case used their weapons to frighten the students and like most criminals, had no intention of using them. If you had introduced retaliation into the situation on the part of the sudents, there could have been severe casualties on both sides.
Concerning our town and the activity of criminals at 10pm in a fairly public place....we all need to work together to ensure that this element stays out of Williamsburg. If we work together to stamp out this kind of crime, then it will stay away for fear of getting caught. There needs to be more security at the college and the surrounding tourist areas to ensure this happens. If people are afraid to walk the streets at night for fear of attack or robbery, then we will lose students and tourists alike which will lower the capital coming into the area. Add a few more policeman onto the force to prevent future happenings.

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0 #10 Guest 2010-08-26 17:29

I disagree. If the students had guns to protect themselves this may not have happened. Knowing that victims are not armed and are unable to protect themselves only gives confidence to scum like that. Do you expect good people to stand by and just let things like this happen? I have a Virginia CCW and will not hesitate to defend myself if I am confronted. I will back off is allowed to and if not I will use force, deadly force if needed.Quoting Hotelier:

Speaking as a non-Williamsburg resident but one who has worked here for more than 16 years - the Newport News remarks are ridiculous. Perhaps the Williamsburg residents are unaware of the rather severe drug problem in Williamsburg. People are people..good and bad..everywhere you go. I would not recommend students carrying guns that just may add to the problem. Here's a thought, clean up the neighborhood and provide more affordable safe off campus housing for students and local families.

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+4 #9 Guest 2010-08-26 13:28

Speaking as a non-Williamsbur g resident but one who has worked here for more than 16 years - the Newport News remarks are ridiculous. Perhaps the Williamsburg residents are unaware of the rather severe drug problem in Williamsburg. People are people..good and bad..everywhere you go. I would not recommend students carrying guns that just may add to the problem. Here's a thought, clean up the neighborhood and provide more affordable safe off campus housing for students and local families.

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+6 #8 Guest 2010-08-26 08:40

I agree with the author you should call the police immediately after the incident to file a report... Of course that is all the police can typically do. I'm disparaging our officers, but it is impossible for them to be everywhere at once. Thus the most we can expect from them is to respond to a call for help.

Now the criminals have the student's personal items, personal information and home address if they were carrying a driver's license. The police, of course, will be at hand to file the next report when the thugs come to rob their houses.

As for Ginger Amblers's quote "There may be nothing we can do to fully insulate ourselves from the reality of crime in our world," I must agree. However, I also keep on hell of a deterrent in my pocket holster. I would like to see the story where the students stopped the robbers and held them at gunpoint for the police.

These kids need more than a cell phone and Safety Escort. They need someway to protect themselves from crime. Get some pepper spray, take a karate class or invest in some firearms training, but don't be another victim.

PS - I know some people will disagree with the firearms, but these kids were absolutely lucky that this didn't progress any further. What if the kids didn't have money and this agitated the thugs more. What if it was just the two women? What other crimes will these criminals commit between today and whenever they get arrested?

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0 #7 Guest 2010-08-26 08:35

WBURG RESIDENT: Based on the information in the article, this crime was committed by only two individuals, not by any town or city. Making prejudicial assumptions about the identity or residence of those two people is unproductive and reflects very poorly on those making the assumptions. I pray that no one in Newport News assumes that the majority of Williamsburg residents share anything at all in common with the poorly informed CitiZen and Hotrod, two Williamsburg residents. It embarrasses me to be even losely connected with people like that. Making hateful comments about an an entire group based on the actions of a few is not only wrong, it also makes the accuser look almost worse than the accused. Hateful comments do not solve problems; they create problems. Please think before you lash out.

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+6 #6 Guest 2010-08-25 13:07

We DON'T NEED this garbage activity in our town, but it happened. This, for our good, returning students, will be an unwelcomed rememberance, locally, for some time. Trust in our small town is so valuable.

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-4 #5 Guest 2010-08-25 13:04

Im a Newport News Resident and Im sorry if you think that all there is in Newport News is lowlife people. But look around people CRIME IS EVERYWHERE! There is probably just as many gangsters up in Williamsburg causing crime then anywhere else! Yeah Williamsburg is a nice location but that doesnt mean that their isnt going to be people in Williamsburg causing just as much crime. GROW up people!

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+2 #4 Guest 2010-08-25 13:02

Umm truthfully no matter where you are there is going to be crime. Im from Newport News, and you keep addressing it as NEWPORT NEWS people. Im sure there is just as many wannabe gangsters in Williamsburg doing the crimes just like there is in Newport News. Look around you people crime is everywhere. Not just newport news people.

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