Cambridge Police Share Information On Early Morning Banks Street Robbery

The Cambridge Police Department is asking residents in the Riverside neighborhood to be vigilant after a woman was reportedly victimized in an unarmed robbery early this morning.

Today at approximately 1:21 a.m., a Cambridge resident in her twenties reported that she was robbed by an unknown suspect(s) while walking alone on Banks Street.  The woman was talking on her phone while walking down Banks Street after taking the Harvard University Shuttle to Banks Street and Cowperthwaite Street. She suffered injuries to the right side of her face and shoulder. Responding officers believe that she was shoved into a brick wall. The victim was unable to provide a description of the suspect(s), who stole her purse and laptop.   

Cambridge Police are actively investigating this incident and ask anyone with information to call (617) 349-3368.   Those who wish to submit tips anonymously via phone, text message or email, should visit www.CambridgePolice.org/Tips.

To avoid being victimized, Cambridge Police encourage all persons to take the following precautions when walking at night:

• Do not wear earbuds, headphones, or listen to music while walking alone.
• Always walk with a friend or in a group when possible.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts.
• Walk with confidence on the street and at a good, steady pace. Keep your head up and observe your surroundings.  Don't look down at the ground.
• If you feel you are being followed, show you are suspicious – Turn to look at the person. This sends a clear message that you will not be taken by surprise.
• Change directions.  If someone is following you on foot, cross the street and vary your pace. If the person following you is in a car, turn and walk in the opposite direction.
• If approached, DO NOT RESIST.  The best course of action is to hand over money and whatever other belongings are demanded and try to disengage from this confrontational and potentially dangerous situation as soon as possible. Remember, things can always be replaced.
• Try to remember descriptive information about the robber (height, age, race, etc.) to relay to police when reporting the incident.

More safety tips are available on the Cambridge Police Department’s website at www.CambridgePolice.org/SafetyTips.

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The Cambridge Police Department is committed to the enforcement of laws and preservation of order that protect the rights and property of every person within the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of police service and to impact crime, and its associated elements, through the utilization of new and proven crime prevention strategies and problem-solving partnerships with our community.  For more information, follow @CambridgePolice on Twitter, or access the department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CambridgePolice.