The Cavalier Daily
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Student threatened by man with knife

A female University student reported to police yesterday that an unidentified black male approached her with a knife. This is the second incident involving a knife reported to police this week.

The student told Charlottesville police that a man with a knife confronted her as she was entering her Wertland Street residence shortly after midnight yesterday.

She reported to police that the man yelled to her and brandished a knife. She then entered her home and locked the door before calling police.

The student told police she felt threatened by the man and that she thought he was trying to push his way into her home, Charlottesville Police Sgt. Jim Pace said.

According to the police report, nothing was stolen from the student and she was not injured in the incident, Pace said.

The student described the suspect as a black male in his 30s, about five feet 10 inches tall, he said.

According to the police report, the student said the man was wearing a yellow jacket and dark shorts.

Two Charlottesville residents reported that they were robbed at knifepoint early Monday morning near University hospital.

The victims in that incident described their assailant to police as a 23- to 28-year-old black male about five feet nine inches tall. They reported he was wearing a yellow jacket and dark pants, police said.

Pace declined to speculate about whether the two crimes could be related.

He added that yesterday's incident now is under investigation, and police have not named any suspects.

Leonard Sandridge, University executive vice president and chief operating officer, said it is imperative that students always take safety precautions.

"The clear message [is that] ... in all times, but certainly times like this, we have to be absolutely aware there is no such thing as an absolutely safe place," Sandridge said.

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