Police have few leads in robbery cases

Wednesday, November 19, 1997

Police have few leads in robbery cases

CRIME:

Cash, credit and ATM cards swiped from Sunset, Sproul
residentsBy Frances Lee and Michael Weiner

Daily Bruin Staff

Two armed robberies occurred in Sunset Village and Sproul Hall
on Oct. 29 and Nov. 13, respectively, prompting an investigation by
the UCLA Police Department (UCPD).

On each occasion, the perpetrators entered a dorm room and
demanded credit cards, ATM cards and personal identification
numbers, said UCPD Detective Leo Del Rosario.

One victim reported being held at gunpoint while cash, credit
cards and an ATM card were taken from the victim’s wallet. The
other victim also reported being held at gunpoint. Police would not
comment on whether the two incidents were related.

In both instances, the robberies occurred during evening hours
and the suspects were described as five to eight Asian males
wearing dark clothing. They range in age from 19 to 24. One victim
described the five men as Korean.

On Monday, a Sproul Hall resident called police to report two
suspicious Asian males whom he believed might have been related to
the Nov. 13 robbery.

"We have some leads, and we’re following up on them at this
time," Del Rosario said. The police have not yet made any
arrests.

Del Rosario emphasized that students need to be aware of
security concerns in the dorms and be responsible about not
allowing non-residents into the halls.

"It’s very important that the students realize that the
restricted access gives them added security and reduces the
possibility of this happening," Del Rosario said.

Residence halls use a system in which residents must swipe their
BruinCards in order to enter the building and check in guests.

Assistant director of residential life Jack Gibbons said that
students should not let others "tailgate" into the building behind
them or sign in people that they do not know. They should also lock
their doors when they are not in their rooms, he said.