Attempted robbery in Shands parking garage reported

June 2, 2010

UPDATE: June 2 robbery report was fabricated

An attempted strong-armed robbery was reported on the morning of June 2 to the University of Florida Police Department. The attempted robbery occurred in the Shands South Garage.

The victim said he parked his vehicle in the Shands South garage on the ramp to level 4 at approximately 6:45 am. The victim exited his vehicle and began to walk down the ramp when he remembered that he left his cell phone in his car. The victim said he was about to turn around to go back to his car when he heard a male voice say, “Give me what you got.” The victim used his right forearm to push the suspect away from him because the suspect was close. The unknown male suspect walked away from the victim toward level 4 of the garage. A search of the garage and immediate area was conducted with negative results. The victim did not give the suspect any of his property and was not injured during the encounter.

The description of the unknown male suspect provided by the victim is a white male, age 22 to 30 years, short, unkempt brown hair, 6’0, 200 pounds, unshaven with a short scraggly beard which was lighter than the hair on his head, and wearing a grey sweatshirt and navy-blue scrub-type pants.

While the UFPD has increased patrols in this area, all university community members are reminded to remain vigilant at all times, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

At this time, there is no direct correlation between this incident and the strong-arm robbery that was reported on May 31. UFPD Investigators have obtained an admission from the reporting person in that case indicating that the reported incident had, in fact, not occurred. Further information regarding Monday’s incident will be provided at a later date upon conclusion of the investigation.

Anyone with information about the June 2 incident is requested to call UFPD at 352-392-1111. For questions regarding information contained in this release, please contact Lt. Robert Wagner at , 352-392-9584, or after hours at 352-392-1111 ( UFPD #8373).