Two subjects robbed a Saint Louis University student in front of the Grand Forest Apartments at approximately 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

The student had parked his car on the south side of Laclede Avenue in front of the apartment complex. He was walking to his vehicle when the subjects, one of whom displayed an unknown type of weapon, approached him.

A wallet, containing only personal papers, was taken from the student, who was not injured. The incident has been reported to the St. Louis Police Department.

Director of Public Safety Jack Titone said that the lighting around the area on Grand Avenue, as well as in other parts of the city, is inadequate.

“The lights have been out for a while . The area is very dark,” Titone said.

“We feel like that was a contributor to the incident, and we’ve made numerous complaints to the city.”

That same evening at 8:45 a St. Louis citizen was robbed.

The victim’s cash was stolen. The SLPD is currently conducting investigations in both cases.

Titone said that due to amendments in the Campus Security Act, any crimes that occur on streets adjacent to the University must be reported, even though SLU has no jurisdiction over them.

Titone said that as a result of these incidents, additional patrol units from both the Department of Public Safety and the SLPD have been added to the Grand Forest area.

“We do have a number of students living in the [Grand Forest Apartment] complex,” Titone said.

As another precaution, the lights surrounding the nearby Billiken Sports Complex will be temporarily turned on during the evening to provide lighting along that area of Laclede Avenue.

Titone said that both incidents could have been avoided if the victims had parked in SLU lots or garages.

“We strongly urge everyone to park in University lots and garages to keep something like this from happening,” Titone said.

Titone added that escort services are available to anyone parked within two blocks of campus.

Supplemental

In related news, city police arrested Robert D. Troupe for a robbery that occurred on Jan. 14. The incident involved a SLU professor who was robbed at 3505 Laclede Avenue while walking to campus.

Troupe was also identified in another robbery that occurred in the area of the Salad Bowl restaurant on Lindell Boulevard.

Two counts each of robbery first degree and armed criminal action have been issued.