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SIU police investigate attempted robberies LAUREN DUNCAN Daily Egyptian Since two attempted robberies and aggravated batteries have occurred at the university within the last month, officers in the Department of Public Safety are encouraging students to be safe when walking on campus. Safety alerts were posted on the Department of Public Safety's website Nov. 16 and Dec. 5 after attempted strong-arm robberies — where no weapons were used — and aggravated battery incidents were reported Nov. 13 and Dec. 3. Both incidents were reported near the west side of the Recreation Center. Although the incidents remain under investigation, police are warning students to remain cautious of walking in dark areas at night. Todd Sigler, director of the Department of Public Safety, said the department has no indication the incidents were related, but police are considering comparisons in the investigations. Sigler said the department has increased patrol in the area, and as a result, a recent incident was avoided. "Last weekend there was a fight that was going to take place, but because our officers were there it was diffused," he said. The victims of both cases reported the suspects attempted to take items from their pockets. Russell Thomas, a police officer with the DPS, said students should be cautious in trying to retain their belongings in an attempted robbery. "If it appears they have a weapon, I don't know that it's a good idea to fight those kinds of people," he said.
In both occurrences, there were two victims who were approached by more than one suspect, according to the DPS website. The report states during the Dec. 3 incident three men were reported to have attacked two victims who were walking along the west side of the Recreation Center at around 11:45 p.m. The suspects battered the two victims and attempted to "rifle through their pockets in a search for valuables," according to the report. No items were tak en. During the Nov. 13 incident, the two victims reported to police two students approached them from behind and punched them several times on their backs. "The suspects then attempted to grab the victims' wallets from their back pockets, but were unsuccessful," the report stated. The victims escaped without injuries, according to the report. The two suspects were seen in a group of six people before the attack, which happened at 1:30 a.m., according to the DPS website. Thomas said the buddy system can be used to avoid becoming a victim of robbery or battery, as well as staying in well-lit areas at night. "If you get into a dark area there's always an opportunity for somebody to take advantage of you," he said. Thomas said an alternate route to walking along the Recreation Center's west side, near where both crimes took place, is to take Washington Street. Reaching safety should Please see BATTERY | 3
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Warmer weather allows time for a wash
STEVE MATZKER | DAILY EGYPTIAN
William Burris, a freshman from Rockford studying physical therapy, washes his 1996 Cadillac Monday at a car wash near Grand Avenue. Burris, a Vietnam veteran who served as a boatswain’s mate for the Navy, said he is
going back home for the holidays and will fill his gas tank with the money he made from selling back a textbook. He said his Cadillac is made for the open road. “It’s like laying on a couch and watching TV,� Burris said.
Holiday shopping could lead to poor credit scores for students LAUREN DUNCAN Daily Egyptian While the holiday season invites shoppers to take advantage of their credit cards, credit scores may be impacted. Increased holiday shopping can affect a credit card user's rating. For students who are working to establish credit, financial experts advise consumers to consider what they can repay before making a purchase. Finance department chair Mark Peterson said consumers should understand how credit scores are calculated in order to understand the impact extra shopping will have. He said a credit score is determined by how much of a "credit risk" a person poses. " The one that carries the most weight is the payment history that one has,� he said. “So if you make payments on credit cards ... whether you've been late, whether you've paid off an entire loan, that is the number one factor in the credit score." Peterson said situations such as late rent payment factor into this Please see CREDIT | 3
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SABRINA IMMUNDO | DAILY EGYPTIAN SOURCE: SALLIE MAE, INC. "HOW UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS USE CREDIT CARDS"