Ga. Tech student robbed in 12th attack since Feb.

Another Georgia Tech student was robbed at gunpoint early Monday, making him the 13th person to be mugged near campus since February.

The robbery occurred at 1:15 a.m. in the Home Park neighborhood between the northern edge of Georgia Tech campus and Atlantic Station, according to Atlanta Police Department Spokesman Officer Otis Redmond.

The student, whose name has not been released, told police he was approached by males in a dark SUV, with at least two of the robbers armed with handguns, police said.

He was struck in the back of the head with a gun and the suspects took his wallet and backpack containing schools books and other items, Redmond said.

It’s unknown how much money was taken, Redmond said. The victim refused medical treatment at the scene.

Georgia Tech Police also responded to the scene.

The robbery occurred in a residential area without surveillance video, Redmond noted. None of the suspects has yet been identified

Since Feb. 7, 12 armed robberies involving 13 victims have been reported in the neighborhoods surrounding Georgia Tech. All but two of the victims were Georgia Tech students. The other two were students at the University of Phoenix and Georgia State University, respectively.

None of the incidents happened on campus property but in nearby neighborhoods under the Atlanta Police Department’s jurisdiction.

Last week, Atlanta police announced three arrests in the May 4 robbery and shooting of Georgia Tech student Patrick Whaley. On June 10, police arrested Deangelo Love, 17, and Maurice Brown, 19, for that attack. They are being held without bond in the Fulton County jail on charges of aggravated assault, armed robbery and kidnapping. Love is also charged with several other charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Love and Brown were also indicted earlier this month in the kidnapping and shooting of Georgia State student Carsten Singh, also on May 4 near the Tech campus.

Police declined to identify the third suspect. He is being held on unrelated charges and has a warrant for the student’s shooting pending, Atlanta Police spokesman Officer Eric Schwartz said.

Redmond reiterated the APD’s recent announcement that it is increasing patrols in the Georgia Tech area to combat the problem, though he could not say how many additional officers from the already taxed police force are part of the plan.

Criminals appear to be concentrating on that area for pedestrian crimes, Redmond said.

“They’re like a dark cloud,” he said, adding that investigators are working to determine if its gang-related activity. “It’s a challenge for us to get to the meat and potatoes of it.”

He urged residents and students to use caution and avoid walking alone, especially in dimly-lit areas. In the event of a robbery, one should always quietly and quickly give the robbers what they want.

“You want to make it as short as possible,” he advised.