News12 is reporting that an armed man in a ski mask held up two Iona College students at 30 Eastchester Road early Sunday morning. Talk of the Sound broke the story last week of an armed home invasion and robbery involving 2 men in ski masks at 77 Centre Avenue in downtown New Rochelle.
News12 is reporting that police believe their may be a link between the two cases.
Investigators say that it was just before 5 a.m. on Sunday when two students were walking into the lobby of their apartment building at 30 Eastchester Road and were approached from behind by a gunman. Detectives say a man wearing a mask and a hooded sweatshirt held up the two woman, ages 20 and 21, at gunpoint. They say he took their purses and cell phones, and then fled off on foot.
Below is a warning notice sent by Iona College to their students following the incident:
I am writing to all students to advise them of a very serious incident that occurred off-campus this morning, Sunday, January 29, 2012 at approximately 4:51 a.m. in the foyer of 30 Eastchester Road. A student and guest were attempting to enter this building and while unlocking the entrance door, an unknown male approached them. He was described as a male, black, approximately 5’9”, medium build and complexion with a mustache, dressed all in black wearing a “hoodie” and ski mask.
The male displayed what appeared to be a handgun and robbed the individuals of their purses, car keys and a cell phones. The student and guest were not injured in this incident. The suspect was apparently standing in the parking lot of 20 Eastchester Road waiting for someone to walk in the area and was observed by a witness to run from the lot to the entrance to 30 Eastchester Road and then ran from the area heading towards Eastchester Road.
The New Rochelle Police were notified and are investigating this incident.
In a follow-up discussion with the Police Department, this appears that this is an isolated incident with no similar incidents reported in the area surrounding the College. Needless to say, we are all very concerned when an incident like this occurs in the area and more so when it involves a member of our community. The victims did everything right in safeguarding themselves, including appropriately not resisting in any way during this incident.
I would ask that all students continue to practice good personal safety habits and take a few minutes to review some safety tips that are on the Campus Safety and Security website. I would also ask that all students continue to support and protect each other in an effort to make our community as safe as possible. The best way accomplish this is if you see something or someone suspicious, then you should immediately report it to Campus Safety and Security at 914-633-2560 and the New Rochelle Police at 914-654-2300. I would also suggest programming both numbers on speed dial in your cell phones.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.
Thank you for your assistance.
All the best,
Charlie
Charles J. Carlson
Vice Provost for Student Development
Iona College