Victim says man hit, attempted to rob her on IUPUI's campus

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Police are increasing patrols around an IUPUI parking garage, after they say a man hit a woman, and tried to rob her.

The victim told police it happened around 5 a.m. in the Wilson Street Parking Garage on IUPUI’s campus, located at 811 N. Wilson Street.

She said the suspect struck her, she fell to the ground, and he tried to rob her.

A police spokesperson told 24-Hour News 8 he didn't believe the suspect got away with anything.

the victim was treated at the hospital before police were called.

No weapon was seen.

The victim described the suspect as a white man, 5' 10," 140 lbs. She thought he was about 50 years old, wearing a grey sweatshirt, dirty blue jeans, with short or balding hair.

IUPUI sent out an alert to students Sunday morning to make them aware of the incident.

“I would rather always be walking with someone, than by myself. I actually got the email because I go to IUPUI, so it is kind of concerning,” said student Danielle Cannon.

Cannon says she arrived in the parking garage about an hour and a half after the reported incident.

“I always kind of watch my back, make sure no one’s following me,” Cannon added, saying she’ll take extra precautions now.

The parking garage is automated, and isn't only used by students.

24-Hour News 8 found plenty of people visiting loved ones in the hospitals nearby, also parking in the Wilson Street Garage.

“Of all places, why here? It’s a hospital, people are visiting,” said Riley Tingey. “People are pretty vulnerable as it is when they're coming here to visit somebody. That should be a place where they should be able to feel safe.”

IUPUI police say they regularly patrol the garage, and will be increasing their patrols now.

Police say the usual crimes on campus are crimes involving property, or items stolen from cars.

They say they haven’t had a major problem with robberies on campus in the past few years.

IUPUI had two in 2010, three in 2011, and none in 2012.

In February, IUPUI alerted students to the fact that Indiana State Police are investigating two armed robberies in February in White River State Park, near campus. State Police say they have no specific information to believe these cases are related. According to police reports, the suspect descriptions vary in each crime.

Police say they're asking everyone to be aware of their surroundings, walk with a partner if they can, or use the campus’ Safewalk service if possible.

If you have information on this or any other crimes, call IU Police at Indianapolis at 317-274-7911.