At approximately 2 a.m. yesterday, police responded to an emergency call at McCarty Hall.

According to the UWPD, a student was walking up the stairs in the north tower of McCarty between the third and fourth floors when another male approached him.

According to the victim, the perpetrator punched him in the face and took his wallet. The victim said the suspect took $60 to $80, a debit card and several Best Buy gift certificates. The suspect then threw the wallet back at the victim and ran down the stairs. The victim said he did not believe the suspect was armed.

“This is what we call a ‘strong-arm’ robbery,” UWPD Assistant Chief Ray Wittmier said. “[It’s] where the suspect doesn’t use a weapon but uses physical violence to rob someone.”

Police searched the area following the incident but were unable to locate the suspect, who is described as an Asian male in his 20s, with medium-length hair styled with gel. The victim described the suspect as wearing a faded sweatshirt and darker jeans. It is unknown whether the suspect is a UW student.

The UWPD urges students to contact the police if they have any information about this incident or if they see anything suspicious near the residence halls, especially people who do not look like they would be students.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to be cautious and aware of your surroundings, even at your residence hall,” Wittmier said. “A lot of the time, these people come in from the outside. Make sure that when you swipe your card, no one follows you in.”

Criminals following students into residence halls have been a repeated problem on campuses. Last spring, a male suspect used a similar tactic to sneak into UW dorms and spy on female students in the showers. The police call this tactic “tailgating” and urged students to keep an eye out.

“People feel comfortable around their buildings, and we want you to feel that way, but you need to be careful. Anybody can hang around the dorms,” Wittmier said. “And RAs can keep a look out, but there are a lot of doors. Each person needs to be responsible for the safety and security of themselves and other residents.”

The UW police can be reached at 206-685-UWPD.

[Reach columnist Siv Prince at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]