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VCU Police make arrests in campus mob assaults and robbery

Posted at 3:28 PM, Sep 04, 2012
and last updated 2012-09-04 16:14:11-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)–Virginia Commonwealth University police have made three arrests in the group assaults and strong-arm robbery that took place on campus early Wednesday morning, Aug. 22.

Two adults and one juvenile have been arrested and charged. The adults have been charged with assault by mob and the juvenile has been charged with robbery, said a VCU police source to CBS 6.

In an official release VCU Police said that with assistance from the Henrico County Police Division they arrested 20-year-old Zachary Wallace and 21-year-old Adam Wallace, of the 4900 block of Cavan Green Court in Henrico County.

Both have been taken to the Richmond City Jail. Police also arrested a 17-year-old male from Henrico County.  He is charged with robbery and has been placed in juvenile detention.

The crime happened just before 3 a.m. near the intersection of West Franklin and Shafer street. A group of 15 mostly black males, around 17 to 22 years old, were reported to have assaulted two people at different places.

Police Chief John Venuti said that not all 15 people in the group were active participants.    

“We received tremendous support and information from the VCU community and from citizens of the surrounding area, which allowed us to further our investigation,” Venuti said.

Venuti said that the distribution of security photos and video through the media and anonymous tips sent through the department’s text-a-tip program helped police find the suspects.

None of the suspects are affiliated with VCU, said police. Police also said that members of the group had been patronizing nearby businesses before the assaults took place.

The first incident did not involve a student and was at  the intersection of Shafer and Grace streets. Moments later, the group came upon a VCU student at the intersection of West Franklin and Shafer streets [Read more on the crime here].

The second victim was robbed. Both were punched.

Last week VCU police offered a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests.

This is a breaking news alert. Stick with WTVR.com and CBS 6 and we will have the latest information.