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Harvard University Issues Alert Over Student Robbed At Knifepoint

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) - A 24-year-old male graduate student was robbed at knifepoint near the Harvard University campus, prompting a community advisory to be issued.

The crime occurred outside of 16 Prescott Street as the student was walking home about 11:00 p.m.

WBZ-TV's Beth Germano reports

Two males in their twenties stopped the victim, taking his backpack containing a laptop, cell phone, Mac charger, eyeglasses, sunglasses and a wallet with $150 dollars cash.

"It is getting closer to campus, things have been happening within the yard," said freshman Sidney Helmer.

Student Jessica Wolff said the alert felt like deja vu since there was a series of robberies near the campus last fall, though police made an arrest. She says students carrying their electronics across campus are vulnerable.

"They're targeting students around main buildings, students entering and exiting. They know they can catch them as they have their equipment with them," she said.

According to police, the student did the right thing by not resisting when he was threatened by two males in their 20's. One suspect rummaged through the victim's backpack while the other suspect asked whether the victim had anything else on him.

"It boils down to hand over what you have, and they let you go, hopefully," said student Dustin Brode.

Some students say as crime alerts have gone out this year, they're scaling back on what they carry as a safety measure.

"If I'm coming home after dark I leave the iPhone at home, wallet at home, take about 20 dollars with me in case I need some money," said Harvard employee Peter Coles. Police say the student was uninjured during the robbery.

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