Student mugged on late-night walk in Waltham

A Brandeis student was robbed on the River Walk near Moody Street in Waltham last Sunday, according to a report from the Brandeis Department of Public Safety and Waltham Police. The robber was unarmed, said police, but came up behind the student and took “personal items” and a wallet containing an unspecified amount of money before leaving the scene.

Detective Sergeant Tim King, the Waltham Police Department’s public information officer, did not respond to calls for comment by press time.

In general, Waltham and the River Walk are “very safe,” said Ed Callahan, director of public safety, in an interview with the Justice, but it’s always best to use caution.

When asked how students could try to prevent something similar from happening to them, Callahan said that “Always, people should be cognizant of their surroundings.”

“It’s no different in any age perspective that you should be aware of who you are and who you’re with, and obviously keep your belongings close at hand,” especially wallets and purses.

One specific tip Callahan mentioned was to avoid flaunting valuable mobile electronic devices, such as walking in public with headphones on. “We live in a different type of economic situation today, and people are stealing iPods and iPhones and all sorts of technology devices for a quick steal,” he said.

Callahan also suggested that students walk with friends, stay in lit areas at night, report anything suspicious and, if they are attacked or robbed, to try to note as much information as they can about the perpetrator so they can relay it to the police.

—Tate Herbert