Rutgers University students on high alert following armed robbery at nearby train station
Police say the two suspects remain at large. Students are reminded to stay cautious and report suspicious activity.
Students and faculty at the Rutgers University New Brunswick campus have been put on alert following a recent armed robbery. The latest incident took place at the New Brunswick Train station, which sits at the end of College Avenue.
The station is heavily used daily by students to commute to classes on the New Brunswick campus.
One of those students is Said Mohammed, who admits he will occasionally use the trains late at night.
“I’m going to be on high alert next time just not knowing what’s going to happen,” Mohammed says. “It honestly makes you worry, too, because it’s like that could happen to me and you could be in that situation as well, so it’s unfortunate to hear that.”
Police tell News 12 New Jersey that the armed robbery took place on the westbound train platform just before 12:30 a.m. on Friday. The victim is said to be “affiliated” with Rutgers University.
Students have been told that the male victim was approached by two male suspects, one of whom pointed a gun at the man and demanded his belongings.
MORE: Person robbed at gunpoint at New Brunswick Train Station, police say
The victim complied and did not put up a fight. The two suspects ran off without any further interaction.
As a daily student-commuter from Newark to New Brunswick, Brandon Mejia is aware he may be targeted because he is a student. He says he believes other students may not be as aware or perhaps too confident when out alone. Mejia says that he refuses to ride the trains after 10 p.m.
“As someone from a city, I’m always alert but that might not be the case for a lot of students who are expecting to be safe on a campus like Rutgers,” Mejia says.
New Jersey Transit Police have so far not offered up a description of the two men they’re looking for.
Rutgers police are reminding students to travel with friends and, when needed, use the police escort service.
Anyone who might have information about the robbery is urged to call NJ Transit police at 973-768-9401.
