Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will help maintain security around UT Austin after a string of robberies targeting students.
According to UT Austin police, female UT students have been targeted while walking alone at night, and several male students were sleeping in a home when robbers with semi-automatic handguns burst in.
“The recent string of robberies in West Campus, including a violent home invasion, are unacceptable and the State of Texas will not tolerate violent crime in our communities,” said Governor Greg Abbott, who ordered the deployment of DPS resources today.
DPS will increase patrols and the number of troopers in the area in an effort to “deter criminals from preying upon innocent people,” according to a press release from Abbott’s office.
Robberies occurred at the following locations:
- Oct. 5 at 11:05 p.m., 1300 Crossing Place (Southeast Austin)
- Oct. 6 at 12:59 a.m., 25th and Leon Street (West Campus)
- Oct. 6 at 2:49 a.m., 700 W. 24th Street (West Campus)
- Oct. 8 at 6:10 a.m., 2800 block of San Pedro Street (West Campus)
In the most recent incident on San Pedro Street, the suspects entered the residence while male students inside were sleeping. They took valuables as well as weapons that were in the home, according to a notice from the Austin Police Department’s Robbery Unit.
Two suspects were described as White or Hispanic males, one his early to mid-20s and the other in his late teens to early 20s, each armed with a semi-automatic handgun.
One of the college students, who was hit over the head by one of the home invaders, spoke at a press conference Thursday afternoon hosted by SafeHorns, a campus safety group.
“We don’t feel safe,” said the student.
UT Austin Chief of Police David Carter issued an open letter to Governor Abbott after the announcement of new DPS patrols, thanking him for the move. “It is evident that our main law enforcement partner, the Austin Police Department (APD), needs more help,” he said.
