The Brown & White

Teenagers on East Fifth Street have attacked Lehigh students three times in the past week, police said, hitting and then attempting to rob them as they walk.

In all three of the incidents, the suspects were described as being between 15 and 18 years old, wearing black or dark hooded sweatshirts, and being black or Hispanic, according to police reports. In all three incidents, the suspects had no known weapons.

Detective Mark DiLuzio of the Bethlehem Police. said they were currently investigating if the events were all related.

The first assault was this at 11:30 p.m. Monday, when a group of young males assaulted, then attempted to rob a 22-year-old Lehigh student, police said. The student was able to pick up his backpack and run away.

At approximately 11:40 p.m Wednesday, three male suspects attempted to rob a 21-year-old Lehigh student on the corner of East Fifth and Taylor Street, according to a safety bulletin released by Lehigh Chief of Police Edward Shupp. The student was able to escape uninjured by calling for help to other people in the area, after which the three suspects fled.

At approximately 8:30 p.m Thursday, a 21-year-old Lehigh student was hit on the side of the head by one of seven suspects, knocking him to the ground, according to a second safety bulletin released by Shupp. The suspects then tried to take the student's bag, but he was able to run away to his home, after which the suspects ran north toward Fourth Street.

DiLuzio said the Bethlehem Police had extra men patrolling the area and that a detective was working on the incidents, but that usually crimes are called into the police after the suspects have already ran away, putting the police at a disadvantage. He recommended residents not to walk home alone and, if being followed, to try to find a safe place to stay.

Shupp also had advice in his safety bulletin, cautioning students to take safety precautions, such as locking windows and doors at all times, and asking students with any additional information to call the Lehigh Police at 610-758-4200 or the Bethlehem Police at 610-865-7187.

Student reactions to the incidents varied. One student, Kevin Wilby, '09, who lives on East Fifth Street, said he did not feel threatened.

"I feel safe living on East Fifth but it doesn't surprise me that someone would get robbed," Wilby said

Eric Tress, '09, who also lives on East Fifth Street, was worried about his own risk of being assaulted or robbed, as he walks often walks past the area where incidents occurred. Tress said he thought the incident would have been difficult to prevent.

"What can the police really do about it? I see them patrolling the area," Tress said. "But when six guys jump you, there's not much you can do."