Both suspects in the armed robbery case that took place Saturday night around midnight have been arrested and are waiting for their arraignment.

Sgt. Tom Connellan of the Syracuse Police Department said a Le Moyne student was walking away from a party on Ackerman Avenue when two men, one carrying a knife and the other carrying a BB gun, stole his cell phone and money.

Connellan said the student contacted the Syracuse University’s Public Safety, who collaborated with Syracuse police in arresting the two suspects.

Connellan confirmed both men were 16 years old and were not a part of the Syracuse University community.

Marlene Hall, director of Public Safety, said Syracuse police did a marvelous job in their collaboration with Public Safety.

‘Our officers were able to act fast,’ Hall said. ‘And by working with Public Safety, more people were able to search the area while taking care of the victims.’

Hall said Public Safety and Syracuse police have been able to collaborate more effectively ever since Public Safety’s transition to peace officers, or officers carrying firearms, in July 2005.

‘Before peace officers, there was a limitation in our ability to do stops,’ Hall said. ‘We can now venture a little farther from campus. We can respond to anything adjacent to property owned by the university.’

Hall said any witnesses to the robbery should come forward and suggested anyone who is hesitant to speak to Public Safety should take advantage of its Silent Witness system.

Hall said the Silent Witness system is much better than its old system. Instead of describing an incident on paper and reporting it to Public Safety, now students can log on to Public Safety’s Web site and follow the on-screen instructions.

Hall said Public Safety has also instituted a pilot program in the fall called ‘Adopt a Hall,’ where Public Safety officers volunteer to take a specific resident hall under their wing.

‘We have been really happy with (Adopt a Hall),’ Hall said. ‘We’ve had very good relations with residential life, offering us good networking to get things done.’

Hall said with this new pilot program, students feel more at ease to inform Public Safety of incidence on campus.

‘With Adopt a Hall, people understand the importance of quick communication (during incidents) like last weekend,’ Hall said. ‘People can call us and feel comfortable.’

Published on February 13, 2006 at 12:00 pm