Memphis police have taken three suspects into custody for robberies in the University of Memphis area.
Memphis and university police reported that Myron Baker and Michael Crawford, both 18, were apprehended last Monday during a robbery at an apartment at 3562 Mynders, just west of the campus. The two were caught when a student who saw them going into the residence called university police to the scene.
A third suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile, escaped out a window but was arrested the next day. None of the suspects was enrolled at the university.
The three were allegedly involved in two separate robbery incidents occurring November 30th and have been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and aggravated kidnapping. Police said the suspects did not threaten or harm their victims but were armed with handguns. The suspects would tie up the victims and place them in a closet. Credit cards, cell phones, a laptop computer, and cash were stolen from the residences. No dollar amount has yet been placed on the stolen items.
“Things have changed [on the campus and in the area] since years ago,” said Bruce Haber, University of Memphis police director, who supervises the unit’s 30 officers. “That’s why we work so closely with the [Memphis Police Department’s Central] precinct and attend weekly precinct meetings.”
Haber said in spite of the recent robberies the university’s crime rate is down 21 percent from last year. Last year’s Crime in Tennessee Report listed 43 burglaries and two robberies for the University of Memphis.
The suspects are also being investigated for a possible connection to a series of seven robberies in the same area during a three-week period which began November 6th. All of the robberies occurred during evening and nighttime hours.
Police reported that the three suspects have juvenile criminal records but no record of robbery or violent criminal charges.
