Loyola Community,

A few weeks back, the Department of Campus Safety posted information on the new Inside Loyola news site and LU Focus about reports of robberies or attempted robberies of iPhones and other mobile devices being on the rise not only near the Lake Shore Campus, but throughout Chicago and the rest of the country.

Mobile device thefts are increasing in almost every neighborhood in the city and especially in areas located near CTA train stations.

On Friday, November 12, a Loyola student was walking near the intersection of Kenmore and Rosemont around 2:45 a.m., when she began to dial a number on her phone. At that time, an offender ran up, snatched the phone from her hand, and took off running. Fortunately, a Campus Safety lieutenant was on patrol in the area and chased the subject to a car that was waiting in the east alley of Kenmore, near Sacred Heart grade school. The car fled and a traffic stop was initiated by backup Loyola safety officers. The offender was found to be in possession of other stolen property, he was arrested and charged with theft, and he is now awaiting trial. 

Although this offender was apprehended, it is still critical that you keep in mind these important safety tips to help minimize your risk of becoming a victim of robbery: 

• Avoid walking alone at night. Even something as simple as walking across the street can allow a would-be thief the chance to seek you out.
• Avoid using your cell phone when out walking alone, or even when walking in a group late at night. This includes talking on the phone, sending text messages and e-mails, or playing games.
• Do not wear earphones while you are walking alone. 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 report suspicious behavior immediately to Campus Safety (773.508.6039) or the Chicago Police Department (9-1-1). Suspicious behavior can include a person following you, a person or a group of people loitering for an extended period of time, a person who seems to be wandering up and down a street without an intended destination or purpose, or even a car that is left idling for a long time.

If you think something is suspicious but you just aren’t sure, call Campus Safety immediately and let us investigate it. It is better to be overly cautious than to second guess yourself after something happens. Also, if you’re curious about the types of crimes that are reported to Campus Safety, a crime log is maintained and available to the public by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Robert Fine
Director, Campus Safety