Arrest in armed robberies near ODU

NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University is trying to figure out what went wrong with its emergency alert system after two armed robberies off campus Thursday.

Norfolk police did make an arrest in connection with the incidents that took place minutes apart Thursday evening on 42nd Street.

The suspect allegedly robbed a total of four people at gunpoint a block away from campus.

Police aren't saying if the victims were students.

Luckily, no one got hurt.

WAVY.com saw ODU police keeping a close eye on neighborhoods bordering the campus Friday.

But students say the problems don't come out in the light.

"I don't feel safe walking around here at night. During the daytime, it's OK," ODU student Josefina Escobar said.

Students were supposed to receive a text message that sent them to their e-mail for a full explanation of the crimes.

Marjorie Tabango is an ODU student who received a text message. It just said if we could check our e-mail... I checked it, there was nothing on there," she said. "It just said something about maintenance."

Tabango wasn't alone. Antoinette Hunt got a text message, too.

Hunt said, "It says, 'Please check your ODU email for an important campus safety issue alert.' I looked on my email and I didn't see anything," she said.

Student Jim Peele did receive both alerts, by text and by email, but said student safety remains a big issue.    

Peele said, "All the way from Kellam Avenue, over to 41st Street, it's been dangerous around here."

ODU is looking into the emergency alert system to see why some students didn't receive the entire message.

Norfolk police aren't releasing the name of the suspect because they think he may be linked to other crimes in the area.

University officials say two people were arrested in connection with four robberies that took place off campus back in September.

The University Escort Service is available for students at (757) 683-4000.