Vassar students bound in armed robbery on campus: College

Katelyn Cordero | Poughkeepsie Journal

Vassar College says a group of its students were bound and their campus townhouse was burglarized on Halloween night.

The school said it is increasing patrols on campus and requesting additional police presence in the area of its townhouses, in the wake of the incident. The Town of Poughkeepsie police said on Sunday that no arrests had been made and the incident remained under investigation.

According to a release from Vassar's Safety and Security department, around 2 a.m. Friday, two male intruders entered the house through an unlocked door, one with what appeared to be a handgun. The department said the men bound the students and searched the house.

After the intruders left the home the students ran outside and flagged down a Safety and Security vehicle that was driving through the area, according to the release.

Town of Poughkeepsie police responded to the incident and searched the area with the police dog. No suspects were located and it is believed the suspects fled from the area, according to the department.

Anyone with information is asked to call Town of Poughkeepsie police at 845-485-3666 or call Vassar Safety and Security at 845-437-7333.

School representatives could not offer additional information before the Journal's deadline Friday.

The school in its release offered students general safety tips:

Check doors and windows to ensure they are secured properly.

Utilize the Safety and Security shuttle which runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. weeknights and 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. weekends.

Keep office, room and house doors and windows locked when home and away.

Do not admit individuals you do not know into restricted access areas. Call Safety and Security to assist anyone requesting admittance.

If you notice an area is left unlocked or open that would usually be secured, report it to safety and security.

Secure valuable items.

Do not leave personal items unattended.

Katelyn Cordero: kcordero@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4870; Twitter: @KatelynCordero.

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