Arlington police

Arlington Police Investigate Two Armed Robberies near UTA

Arlington police are investigating two reports of armed robberies taking place near the University of Texas at Arlington campus this week.

At about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers were called to the South Campus Apartments on Causley Avenue where a man said he'd been robbed. He told police he was walking from his car to his friend's apartment when two men approached him and demanded his personal items. He thought he saw one of the men holding a gun.

Then, at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to Bessel Avenue for another armed robbery report. A man said two men approached him, pointed a gun at him, took his wallet and cell phone and punched him in the face before running away.

The attacks happened less than a mile apart just south of the UTA campus. An Arlington Police Department official said it's too early to say whether the robberies are connected, but investigators are looking into that possibility.

It was not immediately clear if the victims were UTA students, but university officials sent alerts to all students notifying them of the incidents.

UTA freshman Kaleb Lehman, who lives near Bessel Avenue, said police have been patrolling the area since Tuesday night.

"I was sitting in the living room and the police were coming around spotlighting," he said.

Lehman and other UTA students are busy taking finals this week. He said his tests remain his primary concern, but he'll try to be more vigilant as he walks to and from campus.

"I feel pretty safe, especially when I see the police going around," said Lehman. "But, you know, you're always keeping your eyes moving and just making sure that you're being safe."

Arlington police asked that anyone with information about these incidents call them. They and UTA police asked area residents to report any suspicious behavior.

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