Another student fell victim to an armed robbery last week after traveling late at night on Dunn Avenue.

The incident marks the second time in two weeks a student has been robbed in that area.

Two masked suspects brandishing sharp objects approached the student in front of the Bookstore on Dunn Avenue around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the Campus Police crime alert.

One suspect placed his weapon against the student’s stomach while the other pointed his weapon at his side and said, “Give me what you got.”

According to Sgt. Jon Barnwell of Campus Police, the victim was not sure if the weapon was a knife or a pair of scissors.

The suspects fled the scene toward Talley Courtyard after stealing the student’s wallet and cell phone, where they were joined by a third suspect, who Campus Police said may be a lookout.

The student was not harmed in the robbery.

The incident follows hot on the heels of another armed robbery, this one at gunpoint, which occurred between Reynolds and Talley on Dunn Avenue Jan. 13.

The robberies shocked some students, like sophomore in communication Sheryl Howell.

“It’s surprising to me because I walk by there, especially in front of the Bookstore, all the time,” Howell said.

Despite the short period of separation between the two incidents, Sgt. Jon Barnwell said Campus Police is not yet sure if they are related.

“As far as any connection to the other robbery, we’re not ruling anything out,” Barnwell said.

Barnwell said the campus averages about five to seven armed robberies a year.

“They’re really uncommon, but from time to time we will have a rash [of incidents] in a close time frame,” he said.

He pointed out that the area around the Bookstore — with its combination of the dead-end Dunn Avenue, ATM machines and minimal late-night traffic — may make the area a prime location for criminals.

Campus Police is developing a plan of action to examine the crime trends and possibly alter their patrol to heighten awareness.

“There’s no reason to patrol an area where nothing’s happening when we have a rash of incidents in another area,” Barnwell said.

The important thing for members of the campus community, Barnwell said, is to use “good common sense” and not take chances they wouldn’t take elsewhere.

“After-hours, you need to use the same caution you would if you were at Fayetteville Street Mall,” Barnwell said. “Just because it’s campus doesn’t mean people aren’t laying in wait trying to commit crime.”

But students like Josh Marcero, a junior in mechanical engineering, admit they do feel much safer on campus — and act accordingly.

“NCSU has their own police — that automatically makes it more safe,” Marcero said. “There are like 8,000 blue things on campus so even if I were getting chased that’s the first thing I’d do.”

He said he doesn’t take it too far however.

“Honestly, I always know exactly where I need to be and how long it takes to get there — I don’t mess around,” Marcero said.

For Jason Yellick, a junior in mathematics and computer science, it’s the combination of things that creates his feeling of safety.

“I feel safer walking on campus, buildings with people are usually very close, the layout is very familiar, the blue light system is in place and I’m more likely to encounter others moving around,” Yellick said.

Jamel Willis, freshman in accounting, said he simply uses caution while on campus. He is “his own campus security,” he said.

“I don’t usually worry about being bothered because I am always looking around to make sure nothing unexpected is going to happen,” Willis said. “I always keep a check on what’s going on around me and rarely talk on my cell phone when walking.”

Anyone with any information about either of the robberies should call Campus Police at 919-515-3000 or Crimestoppers at 919-226-2746. Barnwell also urged the campus community to stay alert and report any questionable activity.

“I’d rather respond to a suspicious person and find out nothing happened than have an armed robbery,” Barnwell said.