A late-night walk near the University of Houston turned frightening early today when an armed man robbed a woman near the campus accessibility center, forcing her to send him money through CashApp before he took off with her phone and wallet, according to university officials.
The university said the robbery happened around 12:30 a.m. in the Cougar Village area, close to the Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center. Campus police responded to the scene and have launched an investigation into the incident.
In a campus security alert reported by The Cougar, officials said the crime was reported near the accessibility center at 4369 Cougar Village Drive. The alert gave the approximate time of the robbery and asked anyone who might have seen something to contact university police.
The suspect, described by police as a Black male with a thin build, about 5-foot-6, reportedly displayed a semi-automatic handgun and demanded the victim send him money via CashApp, FOX 26 Houston reports. After the victim complied, the man took her phone and wallet and ran east from the Student Accessibility Center, according to the police account.
Police And Campus Response
Campus law enforcement has already been on alert, increasing patrols in the southern part of campus after several recent robberies in that area, including an armed hold-up at the TDECU branch earlier this month, Click2Houston reports. University police say they are working with the Houston Police Department as they track leads and review surveillance footage tied to the latest case.
The incident adds to a growing list of safety concerns near the southern edge of campus, where students and staff are being urged to stay aware of their surroundings and to report anything that seems off to authorities.
What University Officials Are Saying
In campus notices, the university reminded students and staff to take advantage of safety resources and to promptly report suspicious activity. University of Houston Police Department officers can be reached at 713-743-3333 for emergencies and tips related to the case.
FOX 26 Houston reported that police did not say whether the victim is a student and again urged anyone with information about the suspect or the robbery to contact campus police.
Legal Implications
Because investigators say the suspect displayed a firearm during the crime, prosecutors could seek an aggravated robbery charge under Texas Penal Code Section 29.03. Robberies involving a deadly weapon are treated as first-degree felonies under that statute, although any eventual charges will depend on what police uncover and how local prosecutors decide to proceed.
