Crime alert update says Rutgers affiliate was victim of theft by deception

Yesterday, the New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) released a crime alert that reported a robbery which occurred off campus. The incident in question has since been updated as “unfounded and did not occur as originally reported” in a separate crime alert.

In the original report, the victim, who is affiliated with Rutgers, reported that he was walking around Campbell Hall around 12:30 p.m. when he was approached by a vehicle. The driver then requested gas money, to which the victim complied.

As the victim retrieved the money from his wallet, he noticed a handgun on the lap of the driver who then told him to get in the vehicle, which was occupied by an adult female and two young girls in the backseat. 

The separate crime alert that NBPD released has an amended account of the incident that was described "as a consensual interaction between the victim and the unknown male." 

“The interaction did not include the observation of a weapon and ultimately resulted in a theft by deception,” the separate crime alert said. 

Police described the perpetrator as a middle-eastern male, approximately 40 years of age, having a full black beard, short black hair and wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt with khaki pants. He was accompanied by a female wearing a purple dress and head covering as well as two girls of approximately 3 to 4 years old. 

In its initial report, NBPD stated after the victim was asked for money, he entered the vehicle and was driven to a bank located at 112 Somerset St. He then entered the bank alone where he withdrew cash, walked back to the vehicle and turned over the money. 

The victim was then driven back to the area of Campbell Hall where he was first approached, and the perpetrator then drove in a direction away from campus. The victim was not physically injured in the incident.