U. Police fire head of investigative division

Rash of area crimes continues asRash of area crimes continues assuspect points gun at officer University Police fired Investigative Unit Supervisor Mike Carroll, a 15-year veteran of the department, early this week, Chief of Police Operations Maureen Rush said. Rush would not specify why Carroll "is no longer associated with University Police," adding that she will oversee the unit until choosing Carroll's successor. While Carroll has served as the investigative unit's spokesperson in past years, Rush has recently referred questions about last month's wave of robberies to University Police investigators John Peterson, Joe Hasara and Frank DeMeo. Managing Director of Public Safety Thomas Seamon, University President Judith Rodin and Rush have complimented the investigative unit for solving roughly two-thirds of the more than 30 robberies that have occurred near campus since September 1. In unrelated news, Chris Crawford, who was arrested for allegedly shooting College senior Patrick Leroy and then rearrested for two more robberies, was still in custody as of last night. His bail has been set at $150,000, of which Crawford would have to pay 10 percent plus collateral worth the re1st of the fee. Also, the suspect arrested Monday night for robbing a wheelchair-bound University student was in the process of being charged yesterday evening, Rush said. Police cannot release the name of suspects until they are officially charged with a crime. On Monday, a male suspected of a robbery pointed a gun at an off-duty University Police officer near campus, University Police Captain John Richardson said. The male drew and aimed his gun at the officer who stood less than 20 feet away on 46th and Walnut streets at 4:20 p.m. Monday, he said. The officer was pursuing the male after earlier observing him rob a man, Richardson said, adding that the victim knocked the suspect down when he tried to steal the victim's car. The suspect fled and the officer followed until the suspect pointed a gun at the officer, who retreated without arresting the suspect, Richardson said. The suspect, described as an 18-to-20-year-old black male weighing about 165 pounds, wore a dark goose down jacket, black jeans and brown Timberland boots, according to Richardson. Also yesterday morning, a male told a University student he had a gun and searched the student's pockets, robbing him of 30 cents at 12:05 a.m. on 24th and Christian streets, Richardson said. And a male suspect with a knife robbed a man at 40th and Market streets at 1:15 a.m. yesterday, Richardson added.