STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University Police Department is searching for four suspects allegedly involved in an on-campus armed robbery Saturday.
The university has not released many details of the incident, but the robbery was first reported via a 6:44 p.m. Maroon Alert, which read: “Reported armed robbery behind amphitheater. Suspects are 4 black males.”
The incident was reported about 30 minutes at the conclusion of MSU’s football game against Northwestern State University.
It occurred behind the amphitheater, located near the stadium where a fifth-largest crowd of 61,574 gathered to watch State’s first home win of the year.
One suspect was identified in the Maroon Alerts as wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. His hair was shaved on the sides, an alert stated, and was dreadlocked in the middle.
The university has stepped up its on-campus police presence — from contracted security to local law enforcement agents — during football weekends, said university spokesman Sid Salter, on the heels of a stadium expansion that seats more attendees and the success generated by last year’s season.
“With the size of the crowds we’re getting, unfortunately you get that criminal element,” he said. “We’re constantly evaluating safety and security measures to make sure we anticipate as much of it as we can.”
A similar incident occurred last year when MSU was beginning its homecoming game against the University of Tennessee-Martin. A man brandished a weapon and robbed a victim near the Clay Lyle Entomology Complex.
University officials advise fans to use common-sense approaches to on-campus safety: stay in groups, travel in well-lit areas and always be aware of your surroundings.
Visitors should also keep cash and other valuables out of sight — whether on their person or locked in their vehicles. Local law enforcement agents investigated numerous automobile break-ins last year after visiting fans left valuables in plain sight and their vehicles unlocked.
MSUPD Chief Vance Rice was not immediately available for comment Monday.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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