“Several University of Akron students were robbed, attacked and sexually assaulted in multiple off campus incidents last week. The university released a Special Edition Zipmail Sept. 20 regarding a robbery and an attack, and a second Special Edition Zipmail on the sexual assault of a female student on Sept.”
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Several University of Akron students were robbed, attacked and sexually assaulted in multiple off campus incidents last week.

The university released a Special Edition Zipmail Sept. 20 regarding a robbery and an attack, and a second Special Edition Zipmail on the sexual assault of a female student on Sept. 21. Both Zipmails stated UAPD is working with Akron police in the incidents.

I heard about this stuff happening, but I just never thought it would happen to me, student Cody Schansish said.

Schanfish, who works as a community assistant at Galluci Hall, was riding his bike to work Sept. 18 when he was thrown to the ground and robbed.

I take Kling to Wheeler, to Sherman, to Wheeler to Grant, Schansish said. I just turned on to Sherman where there is no overhead light, and I was just actually thinking about that right as I turned the corner.

As I turned the corner, I noticed there was a group of people walking, and all of a sudden the tallest of the guys walking ran towards my bike. He knocked me to the ground, I don’t remember exactly how, and then he just started punching me in the head.

Schansish sustained several injuries, including a fractured orbital bone, and swollen lips and eye.

One of his friends joined in, so two people were punching me, and the other two were going through my pockets, trying to get what ever was in them, he said. All I was doing was screaming ‘help me.’

Luckily, the only things in his pockets were his keys and cell phone, he said.

Someone came to Schanfish shortly after the mugging and dialed 911. He said the police arrived about one minute after everything ended.

Another incident occurred during daytime hours. It took place at the Sumner Street residence of four students.

Akron police report that two armed subjects approached Zachary Carman, 19, outside of his apartment and ordered him back into his residence.

The suspects took property belonging to all four residents. The stolen items were valued at approximately $7,678, according to the police report. The items included four laptop computers, three iPods, cash, credit cards and a driver’s license.

Carman was not harmed.

Damon Wilson, 19, and a juvenile were arrested in connection to the robbery on Sumner Street.

Wilson has a prior record in Summit County. Most recently, on Sept. 19, he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and receiving stolen property, according to court records.

In another armed robbery Sept. 19, two students were walking on Kling Street when they were approached by a man with a gun.

Me and my friend Chris were just walking down the street and some guy told us to give him everything we got, student Alex Luttner said. We were like, ‘excuse me,’ and they pulled out a gun, cocked it and pointed it at us.

According to an Akron police report, one of the suspects was on the porch of a vacant house at 409 Kling St. and had asked the students for a cigarette. The report states that after they told the suspect no, he walked off the porch and came up behind them with a gun.

The man’s accomplice then reportedly appeared from behind houses across the street and approached them, saying, Just be chill.

The man with the gun demanded everything in their pockets.

Again, neither student was harmed.

Another robbery occurred Sept. 22 at Fat Billy’s Pizza Shop on 625 Grant Street.

Two suspects entered the shop. One of them jumped over the front counter with a shotgun and caused the employee to flee the store, according to Akron Police records.

When the employee returned, the cash register was gone.

In all of the reported instances, all but one of the supects are black males.

The sexual assault incident report involving a female UA student was not yet available through the Akron Police Department.

Only two arrests have been made regarding these situations.

University police chief Paul Callahan released a general list of safety precautions in the Sept. 20 Zipmail. The precautions included walking in groups, parking in well-lit areas and using the campus escort service.

Since his attack, Schanfish suggests students take a more proactive approach.

For some reason I didn’t have my pocket knife on me that night, but I carry my knife on me at all times, he said. Always walk with another person, try to have some form of defense, whether it is Mace or a whistle. Or call campus patrol, or university police and get an escort.

Callahan suggests students walk in groups or call the campus escourt service at (330)-972-7362. There are also about 50 emergency phones on campus if needed.

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