Armed robbery reported in Sehome Arboretum

On Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at approximately 4:47 p.m., a Western Washington University student was walking through the Sehome Arboretum on his way to a campus lab. As he approached campus, two males walking in front of him turned with hoods up and bandanas over their faces and confronted him with a handgun and a knife. They took the student’s backpack and iPod and fled into the arboretum.

Bellingham and University Police conducted an area search, but the suspects were not located. The victim described the suspects as white males, about college age, wearing dark hoodies and light-colored bandanas over their faces.

This incident is being investigated by the Bellingham Police Department under their case number 09B-38810. If you have any additional information about this crime please call the Bellingham Police Department at 360-778-8656, or the University Police at 360-650-3555, referencing their case number 09-0859.

Western students, faculty and staff are encouraged to remain out of the arboretum until further notice.

Prevention tips for incidents such as this:

• Be aware of your environment and be alert for possible danger.
• Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.
• Walk with a group.
• Call 911 to report suspicious activity or persons to the police.
• Call the University Police at 360-650-3555 for a public safety assistant (Greencoat) escort to various locations on campus or near campus.