Attempted strong-arm robbery at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - An attempted strong-arm robbery was reported Tuesday on Purdue's campus.

The robbery reportedly took place just after 2:00 p.m. near the Purdue Armory.

Police said a young man told them he had been skateboarding near the armory when he was approached by two white men. Police said the youth told them that, following a brief discussion, the men demanded he turn over all his money. Though the victim first believed the men to be joking, police said the youth told them that one man acted as though he was about to hit him, and said that he had a knife and a gun.

Police said the youth told them that he fled the scene to the Circle K Gas Station at the corner of Stadium and Northwestern avenues.

Police said that both the victim and a witness at the gas station confirmed that at least one of the suspects pursued him to the station before leaving in an unknown direction.

One suspect was described as being between 16 and 18 years of age, 5'11" tall, medium build, with short blond hair and scruffy facial hair. This suspect was last seen wearing a red t-shirt under a black hoodie.

The other was described as being between 16-18 years of age, with a medium build, short brown hair, silver-framed glasses and a visible mark on the left side of his neck. He was last seen wearing a black, gray, and red plaid wool sweater.

Purdue and West Lafayette police officers checked the area but were unable to locate either suspect. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Purdue University Police Department at 765-494-8221 or the We Tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463.