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Calls for tighter security at the University of Houston after armed robbery in a dorm room

Calls for tighter security at the University of Houston after armed robbery in a dorm room

HOUSTON — Some students on the University of Houston campus say they are on alert after an armed robbery at one of the dormitories early this morning.

University officials say the incident occurred in one of the Moody Towers. The victim was not injured, but the suspects are still roaming the area.

“For something like this to happen, I think they should take more precautions because this could happen to anyone,” said freshman Jordyn Johnson.

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Johnson is one of several students calling for increased security on campus following the armed robbery.

“At first I thought it was fake because I saw it on Instagram and everyone was like, ‘Someone got robbed, someone got robbed.’ I was like, ‘You’re all kidding me because it’s only the second week of school, so what do you mean you’re already robbing people at gunpoint?'” she said.

UH officials say a student left his dorm room around 4 a.m. Tuesday to use the bathroom and when he returned, he found two men inside rummaging through his belongings. We’re told one of the suspected thieves was armed with a black handgun, the other with a silver one. They allegedly held the student at gunpoint and robbed him of his cellphone before escaping.

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“It’s kind of scary because you never know who’s following you and watching you,” said freshman Pace Hutton.

When KPRC 2 reporter Deven Clarke visited campus, he found security cameras everywhere. Students say not only do you have to scan yourself to get into the Moody Towers dorm, but you also have to go through several checkpoints before you can get to your floor. The problem, students say, is that the checkpoints are often unsecured.

“Since it’s the first few days of school, I think security measures are a little looser in every building. With the security cards, you can really get in easily, sometimes you can just run after someone,” said freshman Kaleb Tesfamariam

How the suspects got in is still unclear. However, anyone who knows where they are currently is asked to call the police immediately.

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