Crime

Recent robberies raise eyebrows and questions

Richards

A new semester brings new changes to the University’s security, with hiring of additional UH Police Department officers and charges in connection with the December armed car robbery.

“UH has been in the process of hiring additional security officers since September. The process still continues,” said UH Chief of Police Ceaser Moore.

Security improvements are continuing in response to two aggravated robberies during the final weeks of December.

“UH is constantly seeking to improve all aspects of its operations. Students should expect the continuous pursuit of improvement,” Moore said.

Richard Bonnin, executive director of media relations for UH, said the FBI is handling the armored vehicle robbery that occurred on Dec. 6.

On Jan. 28, The Associated Press released an update on the armed car robbery, with the news that four people had been charged.

“Ronald Dean Richards, Dezmond Lacraig Edwards, Allen Bernard Roundtree and James Van-Gerald Johnson are charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and with interference with commerce by robbery,” the article said. “Richards remains at large.”

The article goes on to say that Johnson faces a charge of “brandishing a firearm during a violent crime.”

Bonnin was not available for comment on these updates.

The Dec. 13 aggravated robbery of six students in the basement of Law Residence Hall is listed as an active investigation, according to Sgt. John Williams on the UH Department of Public Safety’s website.

“Investigators are following all leads,” Moore said.

The police department urges students to actively prevent crime.

“Be smart, be vigilant and report suspicious activity,” Moore said.

More information about recent crimes and ways to prevent crime are available at uh.edu/police.

[email protected]

Additional reporting by Laura Gillespie

Leave a Comment