Students on alert after WMU robberies

OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department told 24 Hour News 8 that a 7-11 store robbery is connected to two robberies on the campus of Western Michigan University.

Police said the suspects' descriptions are similar in all of the crimes --

• A 6-foot tall black male with a medium build wearing a ski mask; a blue, hooded sweatshirt; a red shirt; and dark pants; and carrying a handgun
• A 5-foot 8-inch black male with a medium build wearing a mask; a black, hooded sweatshirt; and gray sweatpants

The WMU crimes occurred late Thursday evening -- one near Bigelow Hall and the other near Parking Services, school officials said. This prompted the University to post on its website a warning to students to be on alert.

Then the 7-11 crime occurred around 11:30 p.m. at 5034 West KL Ave., just west of the Kalamazoo campus, police said. The suspects stole an undisclosed amount of money and then ran from the scene, according to a news release from the sheriff's department.

If you know anything about these crimes you are asked to call police at 269.383.8748 or Silent Observer at 269.343.2100.