RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Students at VCU are used to receiving texts and emails throughout the day from family and friends, but lately they've been getting messages in their inbox alerting them of crimes hitting to close to home.
Fears are easing slightly at VCU as students learn four suspects are hauled in connection with the latest robbery near VCU's Monroe Park campus.
Police are charging 18-year-old Jyquon Jackson, 18-year-old Tyquisha Carter, 18-year-old Harold Cox and 18-year-old Tyrieff Howard with robbing a student in the 1000 block of Grove Avenue around 10 Tuesday night.
"We've made some arrests," Chief Bryan Norwood Norwood said at a media briefing Wedesday. "We know people are concerned but we have extended details working with VCU officers walking, on motorcycles and bicycles. We are really covering an extended area as well."
Police believe Jackson robbed two other people at gunpoint shortly later on West Clay Street and Goshen Street. VCU freshman Chris McDaniel was robbed of his wallet and phone.
"I heard him come up behind me fast," McDaniel said. "I moved out of the way for him to get by," McDaniel says. "But he pulled outa gun and put it right here on my neck."
Victims and witnesses delivered solid descriptions of the suspects and their getaway car. About an hour after the three robberies police pulled the car over near Bellevue and Chamberlayne Avenue on the city's Northside. The four teens were all arrested. More charges are pending.
Senior Quiara Bell is encouraged to hear about the beefed up patrols.
"I think it will be much better with more patrols, but crime will happen," she said. "The police can't be everywhere."
Following the robberies a flurry of text and email alerts flooded mobile phones and laptops across campus warning students.
"The language they use in the texts demands your attention," freshman Laith Marsi said. "When I walk around at night I keep my head on a swivel. I take precaution and I take those texts seriously. I always have one eye on my back."
If you know anything about the crimes, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
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