Crime & Safety

Rider Student Robbed at Knifepoint on Lawrence Street

Holdup reportedly took place early Saturday on Merritt Drive in Lawrence. Two other Rider University students were robbed in a similar incident involving a man with a knife in Ewing late Friday night.

Three Rider University students were robbed at knifepoint during two incidents that took place off campus in Ewing and Lawrence townships late Friday night, Dec. 9, and early this morning, Saturday, Dec. 10, according to an alert issued by the university this afternoon to students.

The students, who were not injured, were robbed of cash and their cell phones, according to the university alert.

The Rider alert said the first holdup occurred about 11:30 p.m. Friday in the area of Susan Drive in Ewing and involved two male Rider students, while the second robbery took place between 12:30 and 1 a.m. today on Merritt Drive in Lawrence and involved one male Rider student.

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The description of the knife-wielding robber was similar in both cases: a white male, in his mid-20s, 5 feet 9 to 10 inches tall, with a thin build, wearing jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, and a black or blue bandana covering his face, according to the university alert.

Details about the two crimes were not immediately available from Lawrence and Ewing police.

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Shown below is the alert that was emailed Saturday afternoon by Rider University to students:

Please be advised that Rider’s Department of Public Safety has been informed by Lawrence Township Police and Ewing Township Police of two separate off-campus armed robberies.

The first incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. last evening in Ewing Township. The two male victims, Rider University students, who were both unharmed as a result of the incident, were in the area of Susan Drive when they were approached by an unknown individual who brandished a knife. The suspect demanded cash and cell phones from the victims. The victims complied.

The second incident occurred this morning, between the hours of 12:30 and 1 a.m. on Merritt Drive off Darrah Lane in Lawrence. In this incident, the male victim, another Rider University student, was approached by an unknown individual who brandished a knife. Like the earlier case, the suspect demanded the victim’s cash and cell phone. The victim complied and was unharmed.

In both cases, the suspect is described as a white male, in his mid 20s, approximately 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a thin build. He was wearing jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, along with a black or blue bandana covering his face.

Please be advised that the alleged assailant HAS NOT been seen on or around Rider’s Lawrence or Princeton campuses. We feel it important, however, to make you aware of the incident and to urge you to contact Public Safety immediately at (609) 896-5029 should you see anyone fitting the suspect’s description.  Do not approach this individual.

A similar notice has been issued by The College of New Jersey. The Lawrence Township Police and Ewing Township Police are investigating these incidents.

This is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the precautions we can each take with regard to our own safety and that of our campus communities:

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • Whenever possible, walk in pairs or groups and in lighted areas, particularly at night.
  • Don’t be distracted by cell phones and other electronic devices. Don’t use headphones when walking on your own.
  • Don’t prop open residence hall doors and don’t let someone into a residence hall if they are not known to you.
  • Program 911 and Public Safety’s numbers into your cell phone: 609-896-7777 for emergencies and 609-896-5029 for non-emergencies.
  • Report suspicious persons or activities immediately to Public Safety at 609-896-5029 or ext. 5029.

On the Lawrence campus, please utilize Rider’s student escort service if you find yourself alone and feel uncomfortable getting from one place to another on campus.  Call (609) 896-5050 or extension 5050. On the Princeton campus, please call (609) 896-5029 for a Public Safety escort.


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