San Jose police continue search for gunman wanted for kidnapping, robbing college student
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - San Jose police continue their search for a gunman wanted for kidnapping a college student, and then robbing him.
Police are seeking the public’s help in solving this crime. The student was attacked while trying to use an ATM inside a convenience store, something that strikes a nerve with campus community as a whole.
“I feel as though when I get out of class tonight at 9 p.m. I’m gonna have to be looking over my shoulder ever five seconds to make sure someone’s not following me to my car,” said Maya Saeed, a San Jose State University student, as she sat outside the Student Union with her friend.
Some of the shocked students say they heard the news through emails and social media. A fellow student was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon while attempting to use an ATM inside this 7-11 convenience store in the 400 block of South 6th Street, next to campus. San Jose police say the suspect kidnapped the victim at gunpoint, and forced him to withdraw bank funds at various ATM in the area, then let him go unharmed.
“San Jose state university is mostly certainly shaken by the incident that occurred yesterday. We are asking out students to stay vigilant. To be aware of their surroundings to help us look for the suspect in this case and call in any tips,” said Pat Lopes Harris, a university spokeswoman
ATM machines dot the landscape on and around the campus of 35,000 plus students in Downtown San Jose.
“It just seems like there’s a higher level of crime by the school at least, than where I’ m from. It seems like there’s a higher crime rate here,” said San Jose State University student Connor Downing.
The current semester started two days ago, and university officials say there has not been an uptick in crime in the time leading up to the first day of classes. Still, students are cautioned to keep track of who’s around them, and their overall surroundings.
“I’m always looking over my shoulder. I don’t know if other people are as cognizant as me sometimes when it comes to that short of thing. You’d better. No one else is gonna do it for you, unless you have a friend with you,” said Cane Hasan, a San Jose State University student. Added Maya Saeed, “It’s just sad that it happened to that guy. He’s probably really shaken up about it, I know I would be.”
The school, sighting, confidentiality laws, is not releasing any information about the victim. Investigators are checking area surveillance cameras in hopes of fashioning a composite sketch of the criminal who’s still at-large.