Police took two juveniles into custody on allegations of conspiracy to attempt robbery shortly after midnight Friday, Nov. 10, but police said they are still looking for more suspects in other recent robberies.

University police saw two suspicious looking individuals with black hooded sweatshirts pulled over their heads on the corner of Linwood and Maryland avenues, University Police Chief Pamela Hodermann said. The police observed them until they were about to attack four college-age females and interceded.

After questioned by police, the juveniles said they had planned to rob the girls and confessed to committing several previous crimes in the city, police said. However they did not admit to any robberies directly in the UWM area, police said. The case was turned over to the Criminal Investigation Bureau.

A week earlier the university released a message saying students had been targets of strong-arm robberies after 10 p.m. on and near campus. Locations included “along East Kenwood Boulevard, North Maryland Avenue and North Frederick Avenue, and the EMS Building parking lot,” the release said.

“In each case, students walking have been approached from behind by two or more men in hooded sweatshirts. The men demanded money and, in some cases, attacked the victim,” the release said.

Despite arrests, police said there are still more criminals on the street.

“I think it’s a lot of people,” Hodermann said. “Someone decided this is a target rich environment.”

UWM Police Sgt. James Learman said students should not walk alone and should stay in lighted areas.

“Common sense goes a long ways,” Learman said.

But for a lot of students who haven’t been a crime victim, they don’t feel scared and don’t adjust habits.

“When I walk in the street I always think there is someone else around who can do something,” said sophomore Katie Rhyme. “If I was in trouble they would be able to help me hopefully.”

While Rhyme has not been robbed or close to anyone who has, she does live in area with one of the highest concentration rates of theft, which has also been a growing concern in the community.

According to crime analysis maps from District 5, which includes most of the East Side, there were more than 50 reported thefts in October on the campus’ south side down to Bradford Avenue. A lot of the thefts occur repeatedly in the exact same location or in the surrounding area.

“Sometimes they skip around, but they come back to the same area,” said District 5 intern Anna Bluma, whose job is to establish a relationship with the community around campus.

District 5 Liaison Officer Bruce Scott said that it is essential residents report crimes in order to prevent it.

“Our patrols are based on our crime analysis. If they are not reporting it, we are not able to address it,” he said.

Scott also stressed, “Students are the victims not the suspects.”

While analysis shows theft problems, both Bluma and police know there is a lot more crime that goes unreported including sexual assaults.

Bluma said she has already had numerous students tell her about sexual assault cases that “a friend” has experienced but went unreported.

“There are a lot of things that students will not talk to the police about directly,” Bluma said. “They go to a party; they drink too much and get taken advantage of.”

Besides having an intern talking with the community, neighborhood groups are working to set up block watches with students to keep an eye on one another.

There are currently not official block watches in most areas around campus but Officer Bruce said the community plays an essential part in catching criminals. Already this year arrests have been made thanks to aid from local residents.

To report crimes call the District 5 non-emergency number at 933-4444 or the campus police at 229-4627.

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