2 Crimes Reported In One Morning Near Rutgers University Campus In New Brunswick
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police have increased patrols in New Brunswick after two Rutgers University students became victims of crimes over the weekend.
Around 12:40 a.m. Sunday, a woman was walking near Hamilton and Hartwell streets when she was shot in the arm, CBS2's Meg Baker reported.
Students said they heard shots and an ambulance was seen leaving the scene.
"People were scattering and hiding in the pizza shop, deli store," said graduate student Mayank Gupta. "It was my first time that I heard the shot of gunfire."
Police said the woman was hit by an unknown projectile, which came from a passing vehicle that was described as a dark-colored older model four-door sedan with four men inside.
The victim was treated at a hospital for a non-life threatening injury, police said.
The shooting occurred just six blocks from College Avenue, the school's main drag. Hartwell Street is also where Kean University student Billy McCaw was found beaten and left for dead in the snow in 2014.
Not long after the shooting, police said a woman was sexually assaulted at the intersection of Richardson and Wyckoff streets, where students rent homes. The suspect allegedly followed the victim into a backyard, where police said she was attacked. The suspect is still on the run.
The woman was treated at a hospital and released.
Police did not say if the incidents are related.
The crimes occurred as students returned to campus and their apartments for the fall semester.
"It was definitely eye opening because it's really cheap to live down here surprise, surprise," said student Brian McCrystal, who lives near the scene of the shooting. "To live down here, obviously, you see the risk. It's cheaper, but life is on the line a little bit."
"I am nervous, it's a false sense of security," added student Chris Shaw.
Junior Gina DeFabritis lives down the street from where the sex assault occurred and she said her parents are extremely worried.
"It was actually right here which is kind of scary for me," DeFabritis said. "I live right there so that really freaks me out."
She said she and her roommate have plans to stay safe.
"Our plan is to call anyone in the house if you're walking back late at night," sophomore Sarah Lewis said.
Rutgers sent out crime alerts to students and said public safety officers and New Brunswick Police have increased patrols on campus and throughout the college neighborhood.
Police ask anyone with information, or who may have been in the area at the time, to contact the New Brunswick Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-745-5217.
