An attempted robbery occurred on Elliewood Avenue around 1 a.m. Friday morning.
The victim, a female University student, reported the incident, according to a press release from the City of Charlottesville. The suspect - who was described in an e-mail from University Police Chief Michael Gibson as a black male in his early 20s and about 6 feet, 1 inch or 6 feet, 2 inches in height - approached the student and demanded her money and credit cards after searching her pockets. The suspect led the victim to the Bank of America on the Corner but left her behind and fled toward Chancellor Street after he saw another group of people.
At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing a blue sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and tennis shoes.
The incident on Elliewood is currently under investigation, and police officials have not yet made any arrests.
Two similar incidents occurred just a few days earlier, when two female students were robbed at different times of the day. Carlton William Arnold has been arrested and charged in connection with these two assaults.
Area police departments planned to reinforce security on the Corner last weekend in response to the series of assaults that have recently occurred in the area.
Charlottesville Police Sgt. Stephen Knick said area police departments placed "substantial more officers on the Corner and University areas over the weekend, and that will continue until [area police officials] deem necessary not to."
These recent incidents have highlighted the importance of student solidarity at the University. President Teresa A. Sullivan has urged students to take responsibility for themselves and other members of the community.
"One of our goals was to begin to empower all members of our community to be comfortable helping each other and to reporting incidents that look suspicious - even if you are unsure whether a crime has been committed," she said.
Police officials have asked anyone who may have any information about the attempted robbery Friday to call CrimeStoppers at 434-977-4000.
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