Beating over smart phone another warning about saftey
Posted by loyolastudentdispatch on April 9, 2011
By Marco Grittani and Alexander Fleites
The recent beating of a man near Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus is another example of why the university’s Campus Safety is warning students to be “smart with their smart phones.”
There is no indiction that the man is a Loyola student, but he was hospitalized after at least six men beat him Tuesday and tried to take his cell phone.
The victim was cut and bruised and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
The incident took place about 8 p.m. Tuesday near the intersection of Wabash Street and Chicago Avenue. A group of men approached the victim and tried to take his cellphone. When he refused to give it up and began to struggle with the men, they beat him, Chicago police said.
One of the alleged gang members was found in a nearby McDonald’s restroom. The other suspects are still at large, police said.
The beat over the smart phone follows the earlier death of an elderly woman killed at an ‘El’ stop due to a man rushing to get away after stealing a cell phone.
As a result, Loyola Campus Safety is reminding students to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Reports of robberies or attempted robberies of iPhones and other smart phones and mobile devices continue to rise not only on campus, but also around the city as well. Here is a recent alert from Campus Safety:
We assure you that Campus Safety is working with the Chicago Police Department to prevent these mobile-device crimes near campus and ultimately apprehend the offenders. With that in mind though, we want to take this opportunity to remind the Loyola community about the following tips, which can help minimize your risk of becoming the victim of a robbery or theft:
- When possible, do not walk alone, especially during late-evening and early-morning hours
- Do not wear earphones while you are walking alone, as wearing earphones advertises to a would-be thief that you have a desirable object to steal; you are also eliminating your ability to hear a threat approaching you from behind
- Always avoid talking on the phone or texting while you walk, as this allows someone the opportunity to identify your phone and places it in a relatively easy location for them to steal; texting and walking is also a major contributor to many accidents involving pedestrians who are distracted while crossing the street
- Always pay attention to your surroundings; frequently check the street and address you are near so that if you do become a victim of a crime, you’re able to provide an accurate location of the occurrence to the police
- If you are walking somewhere alone and you start to feel unsafe, find the nearest well-lit, public place and stop and call a friend, Campus Safety (773.508.6039), or the police (9-1-1) and request assistance
- Always report suspicious behavior immediately to Campus Safety (773.508.6039) or the Chicago Police Department (9-1-1).
