The Medford Police Department last Friday arrested a suspect involved in a robbery that occurred near campus on Nov. 11.
According to an email sent to members of the Tufts community, Medford police and members of the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) responded to an armed robbery reported at the Campus Mini Mart on Boston Avenue around 8:20 p.m. that Monday night. After entering the store, the suspect allegedly revealed a knife and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect then fled with the money in the back of a white SUV.
An email update on Friday stated that the suspect, a local resident unaffiliated with the university, was arrested and charged with armed robbery. Police anticipate that the suspect will also receive further charges as investigations involving other area crimes continue.
Director of Public and Environmental Safety Kevin Maguire explained that TUPD will continue to assist Medford police in the investigation.
"We continue to search for suspects fitting the descriptions given until an arrest is made or it can be reasoned that the suspect has moved on from the immediate area," Maguire told the Daily in an email.
Maguire reported the statistics for armed robberies during the fall semester of this year and last year. No armed robberies were reported to TUPD between Sept. 1 and Nov. 12 of 2012. Last week's armed robbery was the first to occur between Sept. 1 and Nov. 14 of this year, he said.
Although Maguire stated that the campus area was safe, he urged students to take precautions against possible threats by being aware of their surroundings and reporting suspicious activity.
"Walk with a friend or colleague, but always walk with confidence and purpose," he said. "Don't be distracted while walking by listening to music or talking on the phone or texting."
He also encouraged students to utilize the GoSafe service when traveling alone at night.
