Campus On Alert After Students Are Mugged In Quiet Neighborhood Near Seton Hall

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- An off-campus attack of several Seton Hall students in South Orange had the university issuing an alert on Tuesday.

As CBS 2's Christine Sloan reported, it happened on Prospect Street in a quiet neighborhood. Four Seton Hall students were mugged at gunpoint. One of them was pistol-whipped and another was punched in the face.

Both students are OK.

"It's really scary. I go through work here," Marie Kaufmann said.

According to the alert, the students were approached on a street corner by three men in a dark-colored minivan. They were ordered to hand over their cell phones and wallets, and for some reason one of them was struck in the head.

"You have individuals who show no concern for anybody. That is how they behave," Chief James Chelel, South Orange Police, said.

Police warn students to walk in groups, something the victims were doing early Sunday morning when they were mugged and physically assaulted.

"If it does happen they should just surrender what they have because you don't have anything that's worth your life or being seriously injured," Chief Chelel said.

Students told CBS 2's Sloan that they were aware of situation.

"These things aren't uncommon they're just sporadic. You never know when they're going to happen. You have to stay on your guard I guess," graduate student Greg Kaufmann said.

"It's nice to know we get the email reports about it, and you know it makes you more aware, especially being out late at night," Sarah Valero said.

Police say they have some good leads, but they still want students to be on guard, especially at night.

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