An AU sophomore was robbed at gunpoint in the National Cathedral area Sunday morning.
Jill Tyler was waiting for a ride at 3000 Wisconsin Ave., to take her to her job at the Cheesecake Factory, around 7:15 a.m. when a man dressed in black approached her and asked for her purse. She initially refused.
"He pulled a gun and held it to my stomach," Tyler said. "He said, 'Give me your purse, I don't want to have to shoot you.'"
The suspect, who is described as a black man in his mid-20s and about 130 lbs., grabbed her book bag, pushed Tyler down and ran away. The briefcase-like shoulder bag was partially open and, as he ran, her purse fell out of the top. Textbooks, a white shirt, a new pair of shoes and other personal items were stolen, totalling about $45 worth of goods.
Initially were no moving cars on the street, "But by that time there were cars a block and a half a way, he didn't turn around," Tyler said. "He still had his gun out.
Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. John Rucker said there have been a few similar robberies in the same area in the last couple weeks.
"We had maybe three or four in that general area that fit the same M.O. and the same description," Rucker said. They have taken place in the early morning and early evening hours, he said.
MPD believes the robberies may be related, but is not sure whether it is the same person.
"We can't say that he robbed other people," Rucker said. "We've gotten a couple of leads, we're following up on those leads, but we haven't developed anything from them yet."
Tyler said she thought that the area was relatively safe, but this and the sexual attacks on campus during the last few weeks have made her reconsider her safety.
"I don't want to stop doing anything, I've lived there since Augusta. At the same time I don't know, I won't take the bus again at night," Tyler said.
MPD is asking anyone with information to call (202) 282-0070.
