IU student reports strong-armed robbery near campus

A 22-year-old female IU student reported being the victim of a strong-armed robbery early Wednesday, and Bloomington police are still searching for the suspect.

The victim was walking while using her cell phone around 1 a.m. in the 300 block of North Indiana Avenue near a train overpass, Sgt. Canada of the Bloomington Police Department said.

As she neared the overpass she noticed a man standing under it.

When the victim passed under the bridge, the man grabbed her purse and she fell down. The suspect then stole her phone, too, and ran southwest from the scene, Canada said.

In a campus-wide email sent out Wednesday, IU Police Chief Keith Cash added that the victim also reported seeing another man running from the scene.

The woman walked to a house on East 11th Street and called the police, Canada said. She was not injured.

In his email, Cash advised students to be aware of their surroundings, travel on well-lit and familiar paths and walk with friends, especially at night. He also suggested securely holding purses and not allowing them to hang from the shoulder.

The victim described the suspect as possibly a white male, around 6 feet tall and wearing all black clothing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477 or the IU Police Department at 812-812-855-4111.

— Jake New