The victim was sitting in his car when his cell phone was swiped
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Police in New Brunswick are looking for the robbers who took a man's cell phone just off Rutgers University's College Avenue campus over the weekend.
About four hours later, an attempted robbery well off campus in another part of the city was reported.
In the first incident, a man was sitting in his parked car on Richardson Street between College Avenue and Sicard Street at 11:50 p.m. Saturday when four men approached the vehicle, according to police. One of the men then ripped the phone out of the victim's hand.
The victim and another man chased the quartet to toward the intersection of Huntington and Wyckoff streets, but ended the pursuit when one of the robbers claimed he had a gun, according to authorities.
In a second incident, a man told police he was sucker-punched while having a conversation with someone at about 3:45 a.m. Sunday at the corner of Joyce Kilmer Avenue and Townsend Street. The would-be robber then demanded the man's wallet, which ignited a fight between the two. The assailant eventually fled on Joyce Kilmer Avenue.
The man who was struck declined to be treated for minor injuries.
Both victims are "affiliated" with Rutgers, according to police. As is their practice, cops didn't say if the victims are students, faculty or staff.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.