On Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 at 9:14 p.m. Longwood student Kathryn Olmstead was a victim of a strong-armed robbery behind South Ruffner.
The male subject attacked Olmstead from behind and demanded she give him her backpack, after attempting to pull it off of her. According to Olmstead, she believed it was one of her friends playing a joke on her until she realized that she was in real danger.
Olmstead mentioned she couldn’t understand the man too well because of the mask he was wearing, but she remembers him telling her to, “Let go of the bag.”
The man used force; however, officers believe he did not have a weapon on him. Olmstead told The Rotunda, “He had something in his hand. I wasn’t sure completely what it was because the street lights were out.”
According to Longwood Police Sergeant Stuart Raybold, the LUPD are monitoring what times the lights come on so facilities can make the adjustments to have them come on at the right times.
At 9:32 p.m. a brief e2Campus alert went out warning students of the robbery; three minutes later another e2Campus alert went out informing Longwood faculty and students to stay in a secure area. The all-clear alert was sent out at 10:28 p.m.
Officers found Olmstead’s cell phone, military ID, learner’s permit, and part of her keys (room key still missing) outside of the Rite Aid and BB&T, and are currently using them to find fingerprints, according to Olmstead.
The Longwood Crime Reports’ website says the suspect is a male, about 5’10”-5’11” in his early twenties, late teens. Last seen wearing a gray hoodie, black pants, a black mask with just the eyes cutout and dark shoes.
“We cannot provide any more information than has already been given,” stated Chief Beach, however, an ongoing investigation “has been assigned [as a] case.” More information will be provided as the investigation continues.
Longwood Police, as well as “the town of Farmville, will be putting [their] heads together,” added Chief Beach, on the continued investigation.
If you have any information regarding the case, or have seen anyone who fits the suspect’s description, please contact Campus Police immediately 434-395-2091 or call 911.
