After an armed robbery took place just north of campus last weekend, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) is now urging students to be extra cautious when walking on or near campus at night.

According to a press release by the SPD, two individuals — one of whom is a UW student — were walking on 18th Avenue. Northeast approaching Northeast 50th Street at about 2 a.m. Sunday morning. They were accosted by three men, described in the report as being about 20 years old with medium builds.

According to the victims’ testimony, one of the suspects displayed a small, semi-automatic handgun, which he pointed at the victims. The suspects instructed the victims to empty their pockets and then walk away quietly. The victims complied and left the scene unharmed.

So far, the police have been unable to locate any suspects.

In the meantime, SPD and UW Police Department (UWPD) are urging UW students to take precautions to protect themselves from this kind of robbery.

“The basic thing is to try not to make yourself vulnerable,” UWPD Assistant Chief Ray Wittmier said.

Wittmier also urges students to avoid dark, deserted streets, which is where these kinds of robberies tend to occur.

“It’s best to think about your route,” Wittmier said, “Take the busier route. [Robbers] are looking to single people out when there’s no one around to witness it. If you have a choice between, say, 42nd and 45th, you might want to go with 45th. Avoid streets where there is very little foot traffic. In this case, the victims ended up in one of these areas, and they were targeted.”

A cautionary message sent out by the SPD also urges students to travel in groups.

Wittmier said these types of robberies often occur when there is alcohol involved. Although the victims of this incident were not intoxicated, the majority of incidents like this one are alcohol-related, the UWPD reported.

“A lot of our victims are people who’ve had something to drink, so that they are not as aware of what’s going on around them,” said Wittmier.

The SPD also warns that people who have been drinking make easier targets because their perceptions are dulled and their reactions are slowed.

According to both the SPD and the UWPD, if one is confronted with a weapon, it is best to simply comply with the demands.

“If someone with a gun is after your wallet, give it up,” Wittmier said. “It just isn’t worth it.”

Reach reporter Siv Prince at news@thedaily.washington.edu.