Attempt to steal cell phone failed when victim fought back
By M. J. Callahan
mcallahan7@student.alamo.edu
A would-be mugger accosted a female student this week in the Tobin parking garage, according to an Aug. 19 campuswide crime alert from Alamo Colleges Police Chief Don Adams.
The incident happened between 3:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 19, police said. The student, a resident of Tobin Lofts, had parked on the fourth floor of the garage and was exiting the vehicle with her cell phone in her hand. As she put the phone in her purse, the suspect grabbed her from behind and demanded the phone.
The student fought back and screamed, causing the suspect to flee on foot, Deputy Chief Joe Pabon said Wednesday. She reported the incident to police 10 minutes after the attack.
Police are still looking for the suspect, a dark-complexioned black male between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall. He weighs between 175 pounds and 200 pounds and was wearing a black shirt and khaki shorts, police said.
If anyone sees someone matching this description, they should call the Alamo Colleges Police Department at 210-485-0099.
Pabon offered several crime-prevention and suspect-identification tips for students, faculty and staff:
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- When driving into a parking garage, be alert. If a suspicious person walks toward your vehicle, remain inside with the doors locked until he passes.
- Make sure your hands are free before you exit a vehicle or building.
- Immediately report a suspicious person to campus police. Identify the person’s clothing from top to bottom. “If their clothing has any identifying marks, labels, colors (or) style, this is all important,” Pabon said.
- To determine a suspect’s height or weight, compare them to your own height and weight.
- Call police to request a safety escort if necessary.