Two freshmen students were robbed at gunpoint while walking from the upper level of the Grand Metrolink station this Saturday around 10:15 p.m. Neither of the students involved in the incident were injured.

The students said they got off the elevator where there were approximately 20 people standing around waiting for the bus. One man bumped into the first student. The student apologized and kept on walking. The man then chased after the two and pulled a gun on the second student, demanding money. The man was about five feet from one student, and the other student was already about 10 feet ahead. He gave the man a dollar, which was all he said he had and kept on walking.

The students reported the incident to the Department of Public Safety. A subject was brought into custody by DPS based on the description provided by the students, but they were unable to identify the subject. The subject was then released from custody.

The information concerning the detained subject was later provided to the St. Louis Police Department. Since the incident occurred off campus, the SLPD is investigating the robbery. Bi-State Security and the SLPD monitor the Metrolink station.

Currently, there is a renovation project in the making to upgrade the Grand Avenue Metrolink station. “In light of this incident, DPS has asked members of the project to consider a request by the department that a CCTV video camera be installed at the upper level of the station, to monitor the people waiting for the buses,” said Jack Titone, Director of Public Safety. “It is my belief that the placement of this camera would add to the overall security of the patrons riding the trains and buses. It would also be a deterrent to criminal activity adjacent to the station.”

DPS recommends that students, faculty and staff use the shuttle and escort service.

The SLU escort telephone is located on the station building on the lower level of the train station and is monitored by the Bi-State Security.