Police seek clues in off-campus robbery along Fairfield

BY EMILY JONES / VN ASSISTANT EDITOR

Police are looking for a man with a gun who robbed a person sitting in a car just beyond the Detroit Mercy fence last week.

“There are no new developments in this case at this time,” said Public Safety director Joel Gallihugh on Tuesday morning, noting that his department and Detroit Police are continuing to investigate.

The crime took place on Fairfield between Florence and Grove not far from Calihan Hall at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 2.

The man threatened the victim and demanded his belongings.

The victim surrendered his wallet to the suspect, who fled north along Fairfield on foot.

A neighbor saw what was happening and yelled at the thief.

Frank Doud, a resident of the nearby Sigma Pi fraternity house, said he was not worried by the crime.

Doud said he “never feels threatened on campus or driving somewhere near campus.”

What could the university do in his eyes to make for a safer student experience?

“Fix the turnstile behind the tennis courts so it’s easier to get on campus from there for students,” he said.

Gallihugh offered some precautions for students:

n Keep your vehicle doors locked and windows rolled up.

n Place valuables in the trunk or take them with you.

n Have you keys handy and ready to open car doors.

n Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Based on crime statistics available online, Detroit Mercy and the nearby University District neighborhood are some of the safest areas in Detroit.

A bill supported by Detroit Mercy and passed by the state legislature in 2016 allows university public safety officers to patrol areas near campuses and with the same authority as police officers.