KNOXVILLE — Police have arrested a suspect in connection with one of the robberies reported last weekend on or near the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus.
More arrests and charges in other incidents are pending.
The University of Tennessee and Knoxville police departments partnered to arrest a suspect in connection with a robbery of a UT student near the intersection of 16th Street and Laurel Avenue.
“These types of criminal incidents are uncommon at the University of Tennessee, and the suspect appeared to have been simply targeting an area with a large pedestrian population,” said UTPD Capt. Keith Lambert.
“Our investigators have worked long hours since these incidents, and we are very pleased that an arrest has been made in less than a week,” he said. “The UT Police Department would like to recognize the officers, detectives and community members who contributed in solving this crime so quickly.”
Three incidents occurred early Saturday, Oct. 6.
The first incident was a robbery at about 4:30 a.m. near 1401 White Ave. Suspects assaulted a man, who was not affiliated with UT, and took his wallet.
About two hours later, a male UT student was assaulted and robbed near the intersection of 16th Street and Laurel Avenue.
At about 7 a.m., a female student reported a man shoved her and took her purse in Hess Hall.
Anyone with more information about the incidents should call UT Police at (865) 974-3114.
UTPD urges anyone on campus to contact them any time assistance is needed, they feel uncomfortable walking across campus or they notice anything suspicious. The “T” bus system offers several routes at night on campus and in Fort Sanders. More than 100 “blue phones” are located around campus and can be used to call UT Police or the “T” transportation system.
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Contacts:
Elizabeth Davis, UT media relations, (865) 974-5179, elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu
Capt. Keith Lambert, UTPD, (865) 974-3114, klambert@utk.edu