Graduation weekend in the University District turned tense instead of triumphant when two armed robberies near The Ohio State University left students rattled and police stepping up patrols. Both incidents happened in the early morning hours near High Street and Chittenden Avenue, and investigators say the victims were assaulted but their injuries were not life-threatening. Still, neighbors and students described a jarring scene of flashing lights and emergency vehicles during what was supposed to be a celebratory stretch of days.
Police Investigating Two Robberies
According to WSYX, Columbus police are looking into two armed robberies that unfolded within about 24 hours of each other. The first was reported around 1:15 a.m. Saturday near North High Street and East 13th Avenue. The second took place at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday along Chittenden Avenue near North High Street. Investigators told reporters the suspects assaulted the victims in both cases but said the injuries were not life-threatening. Detectives are asking anyone who has security-camera or doorbell footage from the area to share it with officers.
Students Say They're On Edge
Students who live within sight of the crime scenes told WSYX they watched a large police and EMS response unfold and said their crime-alert apps buzz so often it has become part of daily life. Data on the Community Crime Map shows a third reported robbery late Saturday near North High and East 14th, though Columbus police told reporters they were not aware of that separate listing. One student, Mason Williams, said his Hyundai was stolen last week and later used as a getaway vehicle, a detail that has only added to the frustration over recurring property and violent crime in the neighborhood.
Why Ohio State Didn't Send An Alert
Ohio State did not send out a campus safety alert about the weekend robberies. Under the university’s policy tied to the Clery Act, those timely warnings are issued only when qualifying crimes occur within a defined area. The Ohio State Department of Public Safety states that Public Safety Notices apply to incidents on university property, noncampus property that is owned or controlled by Ohio State, or public property that is immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus.
What Police And The University Are Doing
In response to ongoing safety concerns in the University District, Ohio State has expanded joint patrols with Columbus police and opened a University District substation on 11th Avenue to increase law enforcement presence, according to Ohio State News. Both the university and police are urging anyone with information or video from the weekend incidents to contact Columbus police at 614-645-4545 or OSUPD at 614-292-2121 so detectives can review any footage and pursue leads.
