A University of St. Thomas student was robbed at gunpoint and punched in the face in a late-night ambush on Grand Avenue that also cost a fellow student who was with him some of her valuables, authorities said Tuesday.
The holdup carried out by two male suspects occurred about 2:30 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Grand Avenue at Howell Street, about four blocks southeast of campus, according to a public safety alert issued by university police.
No arrests have been made, and authorities have not released a detailed description of either suspect.
St. Paul Police Sgt. Mike Ernster said the punch sent the man to the ground just as he was looking behind him to see who was approaching. The man was robbed of $20 and his cellphone, Ernster said. The woman had her cellphone and purse taken, the sergeant said.
"In addition to posting the alerts online, our Public Safety Department prints them on paper and puts them at the entrances of most doors on campus," said university spokesman Jim Winterer.
Ernster said police consider the campus and the surrounding area to be quite safe.
"I have not heard of a lot [of trouble]," the sergeant said. "It's not too bad down there, as far as crime in general. It's been relatively relaxed, like it usually is."
