Unnamed Assailant Robs Harvard Alum Near Sever Hall

A female alumnus reported an unarmed robbery to the Harvard University Police Department on Monday evening, according to a statement from HUPD.

The robbery was reported in Harvard Yard near Sever Hall at 6:59 PM that night. A man grabbed the woman from behind and stole her purse. She fell to the ground and her assailant fled the scene.

The victim could not give a description of her attacker and HUPD officers searched the area after the incident was reported but was unable to find the perpetrator. The attacker is unidentified and the investigation into the robbery is still ongoing.

In the statement, emailed to the Harvard community on Tuesday afternoon, HUPD urged anyone with information on the incident to contact the department. The statement also reminded students that “we are located in an urban setting and share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city.”

When asked for comment on the robbery, Steven G. Catalano, the department's Public Information Officer, restated HUPD’s policy of not commenting on ongoing investigations.

—Staff writer Isabel M. Kendall can be reached at isabel.kendall@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @IsabelMKendall.