Mugged student files police report
MEGHANNE DOWNES
Associate News Editor
A Keenan Hall freshman mugged early Friday morning three blocks south of campus filed a report with the South Bend Police Department Monday said he.
After thinking he left his cell phone at a South Bend bar, the victim said he was walking back to campus on Notre Dame Avenue and crossed St. Vincent Street when four individuals shoved him from behind, causing him to roll on his left ankle.
"It happened really quickly," said the victim. "I fell down and they grabbed money from my wallet and cell phone. They then asked me to empty my pockets."
After the attack, the victim flagged down a cab and returned to campus, where he said he felt no pain and went to bed. When he awoke, he discovered his ankle was swollen. University Health Services treated his ankle injury.
The victim described his attackers as four males, three Caucasians and one African-American, between the ages of 18 and 25.
South Bend police did not return calls seeking comment on the investigation and attempts to obtain a copy of the report the victim filed were unsuccessful.
Prior to the attack, the victim said he was at Boat Club with friends. He was returning to campus in a cab when he thought he left his cell phone at Boat Club. He asked the cab driver to return to Boat Club and then got out of the cab when the driver informed him he would have to pay $6 in addition to the regular $2 cab fare.
The victim said he started walking back toward Boat Club when he realized his cell phone was in his pocket and turned back towards campus.
He said he decided to report the incident after friends urged him to and in light of freshman Chad Sharon's Dec. 12 disappearance.
"I reported [the incident] for safety issues. I never expected this to happen when I left my friends," said the victim.
The victim said he will not put himself in a similar situation again but does not intend to curtail his social activities.
The incident prompted the rectors of Sorin and Keough Halls to send e-mails warning residents about their off-campus safety.
All News Stories for Wednesday, January 22, 2003
