Georgia Tech student robbed at gunpoint in campus dorm room

A little more than a week after three Georgia Tech students were the victims of armed robberies in separate off-campus incidents, a Tech student was awakened in his on-campus room early Sunday morning and robbed at gunpoint.

According to Georgia Tech Police, a male student was awakened around 1 a.m. in the North Avenue Apartments East to find two unknown male suspects tampering with his laptop. When he asked the suspects what they were doing, one of them pointed a handgun at the student.

The suspects stole the victim's laptop and cell phone and were last seen running through the courtyard towards North Avenue. There were no signs of forced entry into the room and no injuries reported, a Tech spokesman said.

Both suspects were described as black men in their late teens or early 20s. The man armed with the gun was described as wearing a white t-shirt and red basketball shorts. The other suspect had short dreadlocks, a black hat, khaki tan shorts and a black backpack.

This incident is being investigated by the Georgia Tech Police Department. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Georgia Tech Police Department at 404-894-2500 or email crimetips@police.gatech.edu.

Last weekend, Atlanta Police issued a warning to the general public following three armed robberies near the Georgia Tech campus. In two of the hold-ups, the victims were approached by two men — one asking to use their mobile phones and the other subsequently committing the robbery.

According to Tech spokesman Matt Nagel, campus police have stepped up patrols and were out talking to students about safety on Sunday. They also sent the following email out to students that live on campus this summer:

Subject: A Message from the GT Police Dept.

The Georgia Tech Police Department continues to address the issue of campus safety and has seen positive results from our policing efforts. However, we need students to partner in our efforts, particularly in our residence halls. The most recent incident serves as a reminder that taking appropriate precautions substantially reduces the likelihood of becoming a target for criminal activity. The following tips illustrate a few of the behaviors every student should incorporate. Should you ever need our assistance, call 404-894-2500.
 
• Always lock your door, even if you intend to return shortly or are just going down the hall. Ensure your door is locked before going to bed at night.
 
• Prevent unfamiliar people from entering your building, or immediately notify building personnel if you see someone you believe has unlawfully entered the building. Remember: if you see something, say something.
 
• Avoid propping security doors open, even for a short time, for the sake of convenience.
 
• Never leave valuables unattended.
 
• Register all laptops and bicycles to help the recovery process in the event of a theft; visit www.police.gatech.edu/services.