Professor Robbed

The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) is urging students to be cautious after an assistant professor was the victim of an armed robbery Thursday night.

While walking down Oxford St. near Garfield St. at approximately 10:30 p.m., the victim was approached by a 30-year old white male, about 5'11" and 160 pounds, with fair skin, light blue eyes and a light-colored scar around his mouth.

The suspect then drew a silver handgun and demanded that the victim give him all of his money. victim complied and the suspect, who was also wearing a hat, and a green jacket fled the scene. The victim also described the suspect as very well spoken or educated.

Cambridge Police also report that a suspect with an armed robbery occurred around 8:00 p.m. on March 4 in front of 32 Shepard St.

The suspect involved in that robbery fits the description of the suspect in the Oxford St. robbery and has a similar modus operandi.

Advisory e-mails were sent out by HUPD on Friday.

The robbery follows the assault and attempted robbery of a graduate student on Feb. 21.

Recently released crime statistics from the Cambridge Police Department which show an 11 percent increase in street crime in Cambridge last year.

HUPD urges anyone with information regarding the robbery to call the Criminal Investigation Unit at (617)495-1796.

--Staff writer Joseph P. Flood can be reached at flood@fas.harvard.edu.