Carjacking at U of I Parking Deck

University of Illinois Campus police report a carjacking Thursday morning, at a parking deck on the north end of campus.

Lieutenant Roy Acree says it happened around 7:10 AM, to a woman in the parking deck at Goodwin and University in Urbana.

"The male offender grabbed her from behind", says Acree, " forced her to the lower level of the parking area, and was attempting to grab the contents out of her purse. And following a brief struggle, the offender was able to take possession of the victim's car keys, run back up the ramp, and was able to steal her car."

The robber also took some credit cards. Acree says there have been robbery attacks on campus before, but the theft of a car in this way is rare.

The stolen car is a red 2010 Hyundai Sonata with Illinois license plate MRITCH1. The suspect is described as a dark-skinned black male in his early 20s, with short black hair and scruffy facial hair, about 6'1", a thin muscular build, wearing an orange sleeveless t-shirt and black nylon shorts.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call U of I Police at 217-333-1216, or contact Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS.