Pocono News Section

University of Scranton Students on Alert After Home Invasion & Robbery

University of Scranton Students on Alert After Home Invasion & Robbery - Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 6:37PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Feb 16, 2010 @ 06:37pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - A home invasion and robbery near the University of Scranton has many students on alert tonight. Scranton police say a student was duct-tapped and robbed inside his apartment early Tuesday morning.

The crime happened just after 8:00 AM at an apartment building in the 400-block of Monroe Avenue. The house is less than one block away from the main campus and within eye-sight of the University of Scranton's public safety office.

Students who live in the neighborhood say they saw cops and a crime scene van at the house where the attack happened. The victim was a 20-year-old student.

"It's pretty crazy considering how close it is to campus and things like that have happened," student Sean Callaghan said. "They're trying to cut back on it but it's still happening. It's pretty crazy."

Caroline Pryor lives in the same building as the victim.

"It's crazy. It makes you, I don't know, kinda nervous to think that it could be your house. You just don't know when things like that can happen," Pryor said.

Investigators say the college student was sleeping when the two suspects came into his apartment. They bound his hands with duct tape and covered his mouth. They then stole cash and other items.

"I'm not too surprised," student Larry Walsh said. "I've heard a lot of these things happening before. It's pretty crazy. We'll definately lock-up. Keep our valuables locked-up."

The University of Scranton issued a community advisory late Tuesday afternoon. Information about what happened was emailed to students and placed in residence halls.

Police say they don't have a very good description of the suspects. One was a white male. Both were wearing masks and sunglasses at the time of the home invasion.

Anyone with information is urged to call Scranton Police.