Armed robbers target student in restroom
Lanette Jorgensen
Issue date: 5/9/05 Section: News
A student walking into a VC women's restroom on Monday evening, April 18, was robbed at gunpoint by the two men.
Lt. Richard De La O, acting campus police chief, said the men went into the bathroom and demanded the woman's purse, which contained an undisclosed amount of money. The student complied and was unharmed.
After the incident was reported, campus and city police officers searched the area but were unable to make an arrest at that time. De La O said that by Thursday, April 28, the combined investigation had turned up two juvenile suspects who were arrested and charged with armed robbery.
The Ventura Police Department's crime statistics show that this is the first armed robbery at VC in at least three years.
Students are expressing bewilderment about the incident.
"Being mugged (at VC) is something I would never expect to happen, especially in the bathrooms," student Jordan Rylander said.
According to section 626.9 of the California Penal Code, it is a felony to bring or to possess a firearm on the grounds or within the buildings of the Ventura County Community College District campuses without the written permission of the college president or his designee.
Campus police have increased patrols and checked bathrooms to make sure they are appropriately lit.
"I feel safe (at VC) because I go during the day and I usually go places with a friend at night time. It's still kind of scary though," student Sara Hocamp said.
The VCCCD and the Ventura Police Department said that VC students assisted in the investigation
"It was a great thing. We got these kids behind bars," De La O said.
Lt. Richard De La O, acting campus police chief, said the men went into the bathroom and demanded the woman's purse, which contained an undisclosed amount of money. The student complied and was unharmed.
After the incident was reported, campus and city police officers searched the area but were unable to make an arrest at that time. De La O said that by Thursday, April 28, the combined investigation had turned up two juvenile suspects who were arrested and charged with armed robbery.
The Ventura Police Department's crime statistics show that this is the first armed robbery at VC in at least three years.
Students are expressing bewilderment about the incident.
"Being mugged (at VC) is something I would never expect to happen, especially in the bathrooms," student Jordan Rylander said.
According to section 626.9 of the California Penal Code, it is a felony to bring or to possess a firearm on the grounds or within the buildings of the Ventura County Community College District campuses without the written permission of the college president or his designee.
Campus police have increased patrols and checked bathrooms to make sure they are appropriately lit.
"I feel safe (at VC) because I go during the day and I usually go places with a friend at night time. It's still kind of scary though," student Sara Hocamp said.
The VCCCD and the Ventura Police Department said that VC students assisted in the investigation
"It was a great thing. We got these kids behind bars," De La O said.