WILKES-BARRE -- Signs have been posted across the Wilkes University campus, and public safety officers are on high alert after four Wilkes University students were robbed in Wilkes-Barre Thursday night.
Some students walked to class at Wilkes University a little more cautiously than normal on this day. These girls say they received text messages from school officials and saw notices around campus, alerting them that four Wilkes students were robbed overnight.
"I walk around by myself a lot and it's just pretty scary to think that it can happen to anybody," said Wilkes senior Hanna DiFresco.
School officials say a group of four girls was robbed just before 2 a.m. on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. The thief got away on his bike with two of their purses, but the girls saw no weapon and were not hurt.
School officials say even though the robbery happened off campus, they're playing it safe.
"The people were informed of the incident to create a heightened sense of awareness and so on, and of course public safety always steps up its patrols in an area where a crime has occurred," said Wilkes spokesperson Vicki Mayk.
Just to give you an idea of how close this robbery was to the school, it happened less than a block away from the Wilkes University Public Safety Center, and the rest of campus is just around the corner.
School officials say they always encourage students to walk in groups or use public safety escorts when they're out late. Wilkes senior Jordyn Miller says she calls public safety often, but was still shaken by the news.
"I mean, I do walk sometimes at night with a group of people, so it's a little scary knowing that a group was actually robbed," said Wilkes senior Jordyn Miller.
Wilkes officials say public safety will increase patrols. Wilkes-Barre police are investigating the robbery.