NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion University's Police Department is asking their campus community to be on the lookout for someone who may be connected to an armed robbery on university grounds Tuesday morning.
According to an ODU Alert sent out around noon, police responded to a report of a robbery at the Scotland House student dormitory on Elkhorn Avenue around 2:30 a.m.
Police said three people approached ODU students with handguns visible, and demanded the victims give up their personal belongings.
"They were in a common area when the suspects approached them," ODU Chief of Police Garrett Shelton told 13News Now. "As the officers were arriving on scene, they were able to witness a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed."
Shelton said the car slowed down, and two people jumped out and ran.
"We had two officers follow them, and another officer followed the car and ultimately stopped [it]," he explained. The driver, 25-year-old Sekai Hughley of Chesapeake, was taken into custody without incident.
He is charged with carrying a loaded firearm into certain localities; extended mag, four counts of robbery using a firearm, four counts of brandishing a firearm, and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony (first offense).
Police say the suspects are not affiliated with the university.
Two passengers were able to run away, with ODU PD calling them "persons of interest." On Tuesday afternoon, officials updated to say one of the men was now in custody.
20-year-old Quincy Banks of Portsmouth is charged with four counts of robbery using a firearm, and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony (first offense).
The third person, described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, remains at large.
No one was hurt during the robbery, but some residents of Scotland House said the incident left them feeling uneasy.
"I walked to class and there was a cop sitting in the lobby, and there was finger prints all over the door. It was really scary," said Cailin, who chose not to share her last name.
Cooper Henderson added, "It's kind of scary, knowing people can just wander around where you stay. [It] kind of makes you feel uneasy."
Police are still investigating how the three suspects entered the building, although resident Rozzell, who also chose not to share his last name, said the residence is typically secure. "There’s a key card based on the building that you’re in or the dorm that you’re in," he explained. "It’s pretty decent with security here."
Chief Shelton said for parents and students feeling nervous about the incident: "This is extraordinarily rare. I have kids that are in college. I understand that feeling of not being with them to protect them. Every kid here, I treat them as if they’re my own."
ODU police are actively investigating the incident. They say anonymous tips can be reported via the LiveSafe app.