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University of Md. Campus On Alert After Robbery

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ)-- A brazen robbery at the University of Maryland puts the campus on alert and launches a search for suspects.

As Gigi Barnett reports, police believe the upcoming holidays may have spurred the crime.

Minutes before midnight, two masked men approached a University of Maryland student near a parking lot Thursday.  They had a knife. The victim had cash and electronics, which the thieves took.

"I feel like if I saw some masked men, I would just run away," said one University of Maryland student.

Now as university police are searching for suspects, the campus is on alert.

"If something doesn't seem right -- if you see individuals who don't really fit in with what you expect on a college campus -- head in the other direction," said Captain Marc Limansky of the University of Maryland Police.

"I am not that concerned, but I think that I should probably be more concerned," said one University of Maryland student.

Police sent text messages and e-mails to students Friday morning, telling them about the crime that happened close to Cecil Hall, and a message warning students to be careful.

The last time Maryland saw this type of crime on campus was a year ago, almost to the date. Police say with the holidays fast approaching, that may have been a factor of the robbery.

"People are shopping and carrying around a lot of expensive electronic equipment, just keep that in mind," Limansky said.

Police say both suspects are about six feet tall, medium build and wearing dark clothing. The student involved in the attack was not injured in the robbery.

University Police are asking anyone with information to call them.

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