UPDATE: Rutgers police arrest robbery suspect, urge vigilance



NEW BRUNSWICK — A Rutgers University student was assaulted and robbed early Thursday as he walked in the area of Delafield and Bristol Street, according to police.

The incident marks the third time since Oct. 19 that a Rutgers student has been robbed on or near the New Brunswick campus.

In the latest robbery, four males approached the student about 1:29 a.m., knocked him to the ground, assaulted him and took what police described as “personal property.”

The assailants fled in an unknown direction.

RECENT RUTGERS ROBBERIES NOV. 6 — Delafield Street and Bristol Street, New Brunswick OCT. 28 — Mine Street, near Union Avenue, New Brunswick OCT. 19 — Ford Hall, 63 College Ave., New Brunswick



The victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to Rutgers police.

No weapons were used or displayed in the incident, police said.



“Suspect descriptions are limited at this time,” Rutgers police Chief Kenneth Cop stated in a crime alert.

Anyone with information or who may have been in the area at the time of the robbery is asked to call New Brunswick police detectives at 732-745-5218.

Two other student robberies occurred in recent weeks, one on Oct. 19 on College Avenue and the other on Oct. 28 on Mine Street, near Union Avenue. Both of those robberies occurred on the New Brunswick campus.

In the Oct. 19 robbery, Rutgers police determined that one of the victim’s stolen credit cards was used the following day in Woodbridge at the News and Treats store, 99 Main St.

Police obtained video from the store’s security cameras that showed the suspects entering the store and using the victim’s credit card. The video also provided a partial view of the suspect’s license plate.

"RUPD is working to identify the suspects and is continuing its investigation in cooperation with Woodbridge police,” university spokesman E.J. Miranda stated in an email last week.

The spokesman also addressed the issue of security both on and off the New Brunswick campus.

"The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) has stepped up public safety patrols along College Avenue and is actively investigating both of these incidents,” Miranda stated after the Oct. 28 robbery. “The Rutgers University Police Department works with the New Brunswick Police Department and other neighboring law enforcement agencies to make Rutgers a safe environment in which to live, work and study.”

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.