COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Police are asking Columbus residents to help identify four people suspected in a robbery assault near Ohio State campus.
Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and Columbus police held a news conference Wednesday to share body camera footage and details on an incident in the 1700 block of North High Street. At 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 17, a group of three people got out of an Uber and began to walk down the road.
A group of four individuals approached the group of three and a verbal altercation began. One of the male suspects threw an object at a female victim, which led to the suspects repeatedly kicking and punching other victims, including one suspect using a tire iron to hit a victim in the head.
Two victims had belongings taken from their pockets, and the suspects kicked them away down the street. All three victims were taken to a hospital in stable condition.
Police said the suspects include three men and one woman but have not determined if they are students at Ohio State University. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for anyone with information on the suspects. They asked anyone with information to call 614-461-8477 for anonymous tips, or 614-645-4665 for police.
The attack is among multiple criminal incidents that have occurred near or on the OSU campus since the fall semester began. Others include a student being robbed at gunpoint on Nov. 8, a Sept. 16 shooting near John Herrick Drive, and a string of burglaries at some of the school’s residence halls in late October.
When asked about off-campus crime, new Ohio State Police Chief Dennis Jeffrey said the biggest concern is the High Street area and that the greater campus community should receive better communication.