The Brown & White

Three Lehigh students have reported attempted robberies on East Fifth Street in the past week, police said.

In three separate incidents, the students report being attacked by teenagers between 15 and 18 years old.

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

The first assault was at 11:30 p.m. Monday, March 31, 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, April 2, 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 from Lehigh Chief of Police Edward Shupp. The student escaped uninjured by calling for help to other people in the area, after which the three suspects fled.

At approximately 8:30 p.m Thursday April 3, 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 from 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.

The suspects in all three attacks were described as wearing black or dark-hooded sweatshirts and were Hispanic or black, according to police reports.

The victim of the second attack, a senior male student who lives near E. Fifth Street said he was assaulted as he walked home from Fairchild Martindale Library Wednesday night.

He said three males jumped out from behind a parked car and yelled, "Get him." He was then wrestled to the ground while the suspects tried to grab his backpack.

He said the suspects then stepped on his leg when he tried to get up and run away, leading to a sprained ankle and torn ligaments.

The victim said he was shocked over the attack.

"I thought it was one of the most visible off-campus spots [E. Fifth St and Taylor]," he said. "It would be the worst place to jump anyone. So many people walk by there everyday."

DiLuzio said the Bethlehem Police have extra men patrolling the area and a detective was working on the incidents.

Crimes are usually called into the police after the suspects have already run away, putting the police at a disadvantage, he said.

He recommended residents not walk home alone and, if being followed, try to find a safe place to stay.

The victim of the second attack expressed similar sentiments.

"Basically try to tell everyone not to walk by themselves if they don't have to, just be smart in general," he said.

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 or the Bethlehem police.

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."