Robbery

Date & Time of Occurrence: 09/30/2022 4:00 p.m.

Location: Off campus at the southwest corner of Jefferson Blvd and Vermont Avenue.

Report Number: DR# 2203802

Incident Description: A male student was boarding a Metro Bus in the area of the southwest corner of Jefferson Blvd and Vermont Avenue. A male suspect simultaneously exited the bus, grabbed the victim’s cell phone from his hand and demanded money in exchange for the phone. In fear, the victim gave the suspect all of his money. The suspect returned the phone to the victim and ran westbound on Jefferson Blvd and continued northbound on Catalina St. until out of view.

Vehicle Description: None

Suspect Description (provided by reporting party):

Age:30 years old
Eye Color:Unknown
Hair Color:Unknown
Height:6 feet 2 inches
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Weight:Unknown
Additional Description:Wearing a light blue shirt. NFD
Weapon:None

If you are in immediate DANGER, call the Los Angeles Police Department at 911 or the USC Department of Public Safety at (213) 740-4321.

Please note that race, ethnicity, gender and/or religious affiliation are NOT considered the basis for suspicion; only behaviors are considered suspicious.

If you have information relevant to the crime(s) reflected in this alert, immediately call DPS at (213) 740-6000 for the University Park Campus (UPC), (323) 442-1000 for the Health Sciences Campus (HSC) or (213) 485-6571 for the LAPD Southwest Division.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues Crime Alerts to the university community, in compliance with the Clery Act, when a criminal incident occurs within USC’s Clery geography and represents either a serious or continuing threat to the safety of students, employees and others.

The purpose of this warning is to aid in the prevention of similar crimes by alerting the community about the incident and to provide information which allows individuals to make informed decisions about their personal safety.

USC Department of Public Safety Recommendations – Robbery

  • Not every person you meet has good intentions. Be cautious of strangers and keep a safe distance. There is safety in numbers, so travel with friends.
  • Avoid using cell phones or other technology while walking as criminals target distracted, inattentive individuals using them.
  • If you are the victim of a robbery remain calm and do not resist . Assure the robber you will cooperate and take no action that may jeopardize your safety. Do not make any quick or unexpected movements. Follow the robber’s direction, but do not offer more than they ask for. Don’t argue with the robber. 
  • After the robbery, go immediately to a safe location and report the crime to law enforcement. Call DPS emergency for UPC at (213) 740-4321, for HSC call (323) 442-1000 or call 911 for LAPD.
  • If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM AND CALL DPS emergency for UPC at (213) 740-4321, for HSC call (323) 442-1000 or call 911 for LAPD.
  • Be a good witness: It is important to recall what you observed and provide as many details as possible to law enforcement such as: the sex, race, age, height, hair color, clothing, tattoos, scars of any suspects and a description of the make and model of any vehicle used in the crime and its license plate if possible.
  • Do not attempt to apprehend any suspects or perpetrators of crime.