Athens Police Department officials are investigating reports of two armed robberies that occurred early yesterday morning.
At about 1 a.m., Michael Naso, an Ohio University junior communications major, and his roommate, were walking on Court Street near Rose Alley when a male suspect started yelling at them from a distance.
Naso said the suspect then walked up to them and asked if they wanted to fight. They said no. The suspect then pulled out a gun.
"I didn't really know what to expect," Naso said. "I was just frozen."
When the suspect demanded their wallets, Naso and his roommate took their wallets out and showed the suspect that they contained no cash.
The suspect then began moving away, but stopped several times to turn around and look at them, Naso said.
Naso said he and his roommate stood in the same place watching the suspect until he was out of sight.
Minutes later, Michael Sharp, an OU junior political-science major, was in the Phi Kappa Tau parking lot, 50 E. State Street, when a male suspect took him by surprise and demanded his cellphone.
"He pretty much came out of nowhere," Sharp said.
At first, Sharp said he refused to hand over his phone, but gave in after the suspect pulled out a gun and held it to Sharp's head.
After taking the phone, the suspect told Sharp to put his hands on a car parked in the lot, and then left the scene on foot.
Sharp said the danger of the situation did not sink in until the robbery had already occurred.
"I was calm during the time, but afterwards I was pretty upset," he said.
APD officials believe the same suspect was involved in both incidents, according to an APD report.
The suspect is described as being a white male in his 30s or mid 40s, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing about 170-180 pounds.
A similar suspect was involved in an armed robbery at the 319 E. State St. Speedway early Monday morning, according to the release.
APD officials are investigating the possibility that the three incidents are related, APD Chief Richard Mayer said.
APD officials believed the weapon involved in both of yesterday's incidents is a small handgun, Mayer said. No suspects have been identified.
Anyone who might have information about any of these incidents is encouraged to call Lt. John Withers at 593-6606.
17 Archives
Mae Kowalke
