Intruder startles Butler students, takes car

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Butler University administrators are reacting after a student was held at gun point in his off-campus home early Wednesday morning.

The robbery happened around 1 a.m. near the intersection of 46th Street and Rookwood Avenue, a block away from campus. Butler senior Jeri Lou said he woke up to find two armed men in his room, one with a gun pointing at his head.

“I heard some noise. I thought my roommate was coming back, and I checked my cell phone to see what time,” he said. “They came in and grabbed my phone.”

Lou said the men forced him out of his bedroom and into the living room, demanding money.

“Basically, they just took the money from the table here and everything in my wallet,” he said.

Lou told police he did not get a good look at the men. He could only describe one suspect as a black male, dressed in all black clothes, wearing a black mask. He said the robbers also made off with his laptops and camera. He was then forced into his backyard, while the thieves drove off in his car.

School officials said later Wednesday the university and its students are safe, but not immune to these types of incidents.

Butler Police Department increased patrols around the area, and the school sent a Bull Dog alert email, warning students and staff of the home invasion.

“This is an unfortunate incident,” said Benjamin Hunter, chief of staff to the president of Butler University. “This neighborhood is safe. This campus is safe. We take these things seriously and will continue to do what we can to protect our faculty staff and students.”