TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Florida State University Police Department is investigating an armed carjacking on FSU’s main campus.
Police said on Wednesday, at approximately 2:25 a.m., the victim, a current FSU student, was sitting in their car parked in the gravel parking lot at the intersection of Pensacola Street and Lorene Street when they were approached by two unknown men.
Both suspects pulled out handguns and demanded the victim to get out of the vehicle. Once the victim, who was not injured in the incident, exited the vehicle, the suspects got in the vehicle and left the parking lot in the victim’s car.
The suspects were last seen by the victim driving south on Lorene Street.
At approximately 2:57 a.m., FSUPD was notified by the Tallahassee Police Department that the car was located at 2502 Holton Street. When TPD officers approached the vehicle, the two suspects ran away and managed to evade arrest.
The suspects are described as:
- Black male, approximately 5’8” – 5’9”, early 20s, dark clothing, dark beanie cap and a bandana on his face.
- Black male, approximately 6’0” – 6’1”, early 20s, dark clothing, dark beanie cap and a “rounder” face.
If you have any information about this crime, you are asked to contact Investigator Varner at 850-644-1750 at the FSU Police Department.
FSU PD shared the following safety tips for students:
- Always have your mobile phone handy—and charged.
- Avoid being alone in your vehicle in certain areas, such as high crime neighborhoods, isolated roads and intersections and desolate areas of parking lots.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Pay special attention to people who seem to be lurking or cars that suspiciously follow you into driveways. Call 911 and use your key fob or other car alarm if you feel a threat.
- Be wary of how carjackers lure victims. These include bumping your car, pretending to be stranded motorists or flashing their lights as if there were something wrong with your car. In each of these scenarios, you might be tempted to pull over—only to have your car taken. Stay inside with the windows shut and the door locked and, if you feel a threat, drive to the nearest police or fire station.
- Practice safe parking. Stick to well-lit areas. If you have any doubts about where you parked after the fact, find a security guard to accompany you to your vehicle.
- Don't sit in your car with the door unlocked or the windows rolled down.
- Don’t stop at isolated ATMs, which might put you and your bank accounts as well as your car in danger.
If You Become A Victim:
- Remain calm.
- Make personal safety the number one priority. Money and property can be replaced.
- Carefully observe the physical characteristics of the suspect(s). Be a good witness. Note as much detail about the suspect(s) as possible. (Age, race, height, facial hair, speech, clothing, odor, etc.)
- When it is safe, notify the police by calling 911 or use a Campus Blue Light telephone.
- Police dispatch will ask for the location of the suspect(s), whether anyone is injured, the exact time the suspect(s) left and their direction of travel, the kind of weapon used, description of the vehicle, the suspect(s) description, their clothing, appearance or unique features, money or items taken, and other information to assist responding officers.
- Protect the scene of the crime. Be careful not to touch anything to avoid destroying evidence.
- Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. If they cannot stay, get their name, address and phone number.
- Write down all suspect information immediately and do not discuss the crime with others until questioned by the police. Comparing notes could cause memories to be skewed.
