Champaign Police Investigate Campustown Batteries

Champaign and University of Illinois Police are expanding the number of officers in Campustown after reports batteries and thefts last weekend.

The department says the incidents appear to be related.  Victims told police they were punched in the back of the head while walking down the sidewalk - attacked by a group of three men and three women, between 1:30 and 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

Two women, ages 15 and 16, were later located and arrested.  Police say they’re concerned these incidents being similar to recent phenomenon reported on the internet called ‘point them out, knock them out.’  Police say they’re investigating five similar random incidents on campus the past few weeks.

Champaign police say they’ll be enforcing curfew violations, and reaching out to those who appear to be violating it.  Champaign and U of I Police are still seeking offenders in these incidents.  

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crimestoppers at 373-TIPS.