Would Be Robber Foiled By Backpack

An unidentified assailant attempted to rob an undergraduate at knifepoint early Sunday morning, but was thwarted when the victim threw his backpack at the suspect and disarmed him, according to police.

The victim told police that at approximately 1:15 a.m. he was attacked while walking near the intersection of JFK St. and Mass. Ave., according to a Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) community advisory released yesterday.

According to the advisory, the male undergraduate—whose name was not released by police—was walking down JFK Street when he saw the suspect smoking a cigarette and gesturing with his hands. As the victim approached, the suspect demanded his wallet and pulled out a knife.

The victim then “indicated to the suspect that he was going to comply with his demand for his wallet,” but instead threw his backpack at the attacker, the advisory said. Once the attacker had fallen to the ground, the suspect fled.

According to the Massachusetts State Police, police forces were not called until 2:05 a.m., almost an hour after the incident took place.

In an ensuing search, HUPD officers and state troopers were unable to find the suspect, who ran across the Larz Anderson Bridge into Allston to escape.

The victim was unhurt in the altercation, according to the advisory.

State police provided a description of the suspect as a heavyset white male between 5’10” and 5’11” and weighing about 230 lbs. He was wearing a black, puffy, hooded jacket.

According to the state police, the knife used in the attack was not recovered.

This incident marks the second attempted armed robbery in the area this month. On March 2, a Kennedy School of Government student was threatened at knifepoint while walking on Memorial Drive near Plympton St.

But HUPD Spokesman Steven G. Catalano said that the number of crimes reported to HUPD is down overall.

“We don’t feel it’s as much of an increase in crime as it is an increase in awareness,” he said.

Because the incident did not take place on Harvard property, it is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police.

Students said that while the incident—and the ensuing advisory—became a subject of several messages over house e-mail lists, they didn’t feel as if the campus is any more dangerous.

“It is unfortunate that such occurrences happen in Cambridge, but I still feel safe walking down the street,” said Alex M. Spisak ’10.

Others were impressed by the victim’s bravery in the confrontation.

“I was amazed that he would be so bold as to throw his backpack,” said Trevor J. Bakker ’10.

Bakker added that after reading the advisory, he was concerned that the state police are handling the case—as opposed to HUPD—since the location of the attack was “practically Harvard property.”

“I really hope that HUPD does have some role,” he said.

—Staff writer Jamison A. Hill can be reached at jahill@fas.harvard.edu.