Sept. 29, 2014 update: The St. Thomas student has recanted his story of the attempted robbery.

A St. Thomas student was cut with a knife during an attempted robbery near Summit and Cleveland avenues Saturday, Sept. 20, according to a Public Safety report.

The report said two male suspects ran off in an unknown direction. The St. Paul Police Department and St. Paul Fire Department Medics were contacted, according to the same report.

Another St. Thomas student told Public Safety that four male suspects approached him outside of Jimmy John’s on Ford Parkway around 2:15 a.m. Friday. The student handed over multiple belongings, including his phone and his wallet, before friends and staff inside Jimmy John’s scared off the suspects, according to the Public Safety advisory.

Wells Farnham, lead crime prevention officer for Public Safety, said these incidents were out of the ordinary.

“The Summit-Cleveland robbery is very alarming,” Farnham said. “Very unusual. Nothing at this point that we’ve been told or found out to indicate that there’s a broader threat to the university community. At this point, our hope and belief is that it’s an isolated incident.”

Although safety is always a concern for Public Safety, sophomore Charlie Blagoue feels these type of incidents happen, no matter what the precautions.

“I feel incredibly safe,” Blagoue said. “Things like that happen. It’s a fact of the world, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.”

Sophomore Whitney Lloyd, who lives near campus, said she is cautious not only around her home but also on campus.

“I live really close to here, and I always carry my pepper spray walking through campus,” Lloyd said. “I feel like it’s a safe area with Public Safety driving around, but that’s pretty scary that someone pulled a knife out just for someone’s phone.”

Blagoue said something subtle, such as more lights around campus, is a good idea.

“More lights sounds smart, but if anything is added, I don’t think it needs to be very high profile,” Blagoue said. “Keep it under the table because when you walk into a building and see eight cameras you feel paranoid.”

Farnham said students should trust their instincts.

“If your gut is telling you that there is a threat, get to a safe place,” he said.

Farnham also said students should never be afraid to call Public Safety for an escort.

“Don’t walk alone,” Farnham said. “Don’t risk your safety over your valuables. If your life and health and safety are in question, don’t risk that over valuables. You should not feel odd or uncomfortable asking Public Safety for an escort.”