A St. Edward’s University employee was robbed at gunpoint on Oct. 14, according to the University Police Department (UPD). The robbery occurred at 6:58 a.m. on campus near the parking lot behind the Recreation and Convocation Center.

UPD notified the Texas Crime Information Center within the hour. 

The victim reported that the suspect approached her with a gun and demanded the keys to her car. She also reported that the suspect was either a White or Hispanic male, about 5 feet 6 inches tall with multiple tattoos. He was wearing a hat and denim vest.

In an e-mail alert sent out to the university, Chief of Police Rudolph Rendon reminded students and faculty to “be alert of your surroundings” and to never walk alone or in unlit areas on campus. 

A reporter for the Austin American-Statesman heard on the police scanner that the vehicle stolen was a black Toyota Venza and the suspect drove off down South Congress Avenue. 

The suspect has yet to be identified. According to Rendon, the Austin Police Department is working closely with UPD to locate the vehicle and suspect. 

The armed robbery comes days after four university vehicles had their tires slashed. Rendon assures that these incidents are unrelated, but are taking extra patrol precautions around distinct perimeters.

In addition, UPD is looking to improve lighting, cut away overgrown greenery, handle parking issues and install better cameras on campus.

“I’ve been here five years and this is the first instance of an aggravated case,” Rendon said. “That’s not to say crime doesn’t occur in this area.”

In light of this incident, Rendon asks that the St. Edward’s community take the best safety precautions. Rendon recommends signing up for TopperText, a service UPD uses to send out important messages via text messages as well as e-mail.  

“If there was a very serious problem on campus, then TopperText would be the best way to inform the community,” Rendon said. 

Rendon emphasizes reporting any suspicious activity on campus, citing the return of three stolen bicycles earlier this semester as a result of helpful students.

Follow Brooke (@brookenblanton) and Jonathan (@slagsavant) on Twitter.