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2 Wash U students carjacked, robbed at gunpoint, man assaulted

Police say the 21-year-old student was checking his backup camera on his car when the robbers approached him and a 22-year-old female student

ST. LOUIS — The area near Pershing and Rosedale Avenues is a diverse neighborhood filled with families, couples and many Washington University students.

It's here St. Louis Police say just after ten Friday night two Wash U students were caught off guard by two, mask-wearing robbers with guns.

Wash U grad student Dillon Moher and his girlfriend have lived in the popular neighborhood since last summer.

"The street is pretty well lit at night. You just don't expect those types of things to happen," said Dillon Moher.

"We were scared Friday night and even kind of this morning. We kind of made sure everything was like locked and did everything we could to feel safe," said Moher's girlfriend, Lucy McClernon.

Police say the 21-year-old student was checking his backup camera on his car when the robbers approached him and a 22-year-old female student.

One of the robbers struck the man on his head, knocking him to the ground.

The robbers then demanded the victims' wallets and cellphones, hopped in the man's Volkswagen Passat and sped down Pershing.

Police recovered the young man's stolen car about a block away from Waterman.

They tell us he suffered minor injuries.

The female Wash U student wasn't hurt.

"I'm glad they didn't use like the guns that they had on them or anything like that and the two are safe," said Lucy McClernon.

In January Wash U announced a number of changes to its safety and security programs following what they said was "a spike in crime in neighborhoods near the Danforth campus."

The university added more vehicles to its shuttle service with shorter wait times for students who live off-campus.

This semester Washington University Police Department is also "adding officers to its neighborhood patrols, including one officer who will be dedicated entirely to community engagement, serving as a resource for students and community members who live in off-campus neighborhoods to assist them with crime prevention and personal safety."

Meantime, St. Louis Police also want to remind students and neighbors to always be aware of your surroundings, be extra cautious if someone approaches you and if you're ever confronted by a thief, give them what they want.

People we talked to are watching their backs.

"Just making sure I go inside as soon as I get home and you know don't linger around outside, that's the best you can do," said Lucy McClernon.

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