RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) — Police have released the names of the four people arrested in the three robberies that struck around the VCU Monroe Park campus area.
VCU Police Chief John Venuti said that three men and one woman were arrested within hours of the crimes, which began around 10:00 p.m. Tuesday night. The spree occurred in a rapid succession, within 10 minutes of one another.
Richmond and VCU Police worked to find the suspects in the aggressive armed robberies.
Chief Venuti released a statement to the VCU community announcing the “swift” arrests and said that they “send a clear message that VCU Police will not tolerate crimes against its community and will aggressively pursue anyone coming to our campus to cause harm.”
Police said last night’s victims gave police a good description of the robber’s getaway vehicle, which was spotted by an officer near Bellevue and Chamberlayne Avenue.
The officer stopped the vehicle the three people inside were arrested and charged with one count each of robbery in connection with the Grove Avenue robbery.– and police said more charges are pending.
- 18-year-old Tyrieff Howard, of Henrico County
- 18-year-old Harold L. Cox Jr., of Glen Allen
- 18-year-old Tyquisha Q. Carter, of the 2100 block of Pinetree Drive
Additionally, 18-year-old Jyquon R. Jackson, of the 800 block of Edgehill Road, was also arrested Wednesday morning. Authroities said he is believed to be the one who committed the robberies — and that the other three were accomplices.
The first robbery happened in the middle of campus, in the 1000 block of Grove Avenue. The victim said he was going into a building when the robber came up to him, threatened him with a handgun, and took his wallet and phone. [VCU Students react to the multiple robberies on and near campus]
Police said that the next armed robbery happened under a mile away, at 10 p.m., in the 400 block of Goshen Street, where it intersects with the 1300 block of Clay Street. J
Just 15 minutes after VCU Police sent an alert of the first campus robbery, a second alert sounded. That was a warning for a robbery in the 700 block of W. Clay.
CBS 6 spoke with the victim of the Clay Street robbery and he said he was checking his phone to get the first VCU alert when he was robbed. The young man had a gun placed against his neck in the robbery.
This comes after a crime spree last week, with six robbery attempts within two hours last week, all but one on the VCU Monroe Park campus. Then the next night there was a fight and stabbing on the MCV campus.
Arrests were made in the armed robberies attempts and police are still searching for the female suspects in the October 9 stabbing. [Read more: Women wanted for Richmond stabbing]
Richmond Police Chief Norwood held a press conference on Wednesday concerning the Tuesday night crime sweep. WTVR.com streamed the news conference. Follow us on Twitter,and on Facebook for updates.
Watch CBS 6 News starting at 5 p.m. for Greg McQuade’s complete report.
