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Student robbed in broad daylight
By Amy Woodward
awoodwa5@mscd.edu

Metro student Stephen Munce was assaulted and robbed near the South Classroom Building at 1111 W. Colfax Ave. between 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m., Jan. 19, according to a bulletin released by the Auraria police under federal law.

Munce received minor injuries and was later taken to St. Anthony’s hospital for treatment. The extent of Munce’s injuries is unknown, but he was released shortly after being admitted.

The suspect is still at large and was described as a stocky Hispanic male. Munce’s wallet was stolen along with $45.

If an assailant demanding money approaches a student, Cpl. Andrew Liska of the Auraria police recommends complying with the demands.

“It’s your safety,” he said. “You can replace your money, you can replace your credit cards, you can replace your ID, but you can’t replace your life.”

The best thing students can do is keep an eye on their property and not bring valuable items to campus that they are not going to use, such as credit cards. Students should also be aware of their surroundings, Liska said.

“The bad guys are looking for folks who have their head down in a book and aren’t paying attention,” Liska said. “If you keep your head up, walking with a purpose, looking around as you’re walking, the bad guys will usually leave that type of person alone.”

Getting a good description of the attacker and which direction he or she left can assist police in quickly apprehending the suspect, Liska said.

Students should also call the police immediately after a crime occurs, and if possible students should have the direct line for the Auraria police on speed dial in their cell phones.

“If you can get folks there within the first five minutes, you stand a much better chance. Once a person has disappeared across Colfax, it’s going to be that much harder to find somebody,” Liska said.

The Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998, or the “Clery Act” states that all colleges and universities across the United States are required by federal law to release information regarding crime on and around their campus.

The Auraria police can be reached at (303) 556-5000.