CARBONDALE, Ill. - A word of warning from police at a local university: Be on alert. Two SIU-Carbondale students are the victims of two robberies in just a couple weeks.

In both cases the victims weren't seriously hurt despite being hit in the head.

Each crime happened in the dead of night, one on campus and the other in a parking lot adjacent to it.

Investigators are still trying to determine if the two incidents are related.

"It's just a low blow," said Danny O'Brien, an SIU-Carbondale Junior.

The news of two students getting mugged doesn't surprise O'Brien. He understands the situation all too well.

"I've had two or three of my friends get confronted. Last year, one of my friends was mugged," he said.

Tuesday night a 20-year-old student was robbed on campus near Anthony Hall. The suspect got the victim's wallet the hit the victim in the face.

The crook later ditched the wallet on the sidewalk.

Saturday, September 29th, a 19-year-old student was walking near the Recreation Center about 3:30 a.m. when three men approached him. One hit him in the head and another tripped him in the Newman Catholic Center parking lot before snatching his phone.

Freshman Devoentay Howard said he always walks in groups at night, and other students should too.

"Always keep in mind, stay with like two people so you always have help by your side," he said.

SIU-Carbondale Police declined our request for an on camera interview, but Lieutenant Harold Tucker said they are somewhat alarmed by the two incidents and encourage students to keep a watchful eye.

Tucker said they are adjusting patrol levels to cover areas of campus that could be more at risk.

If you have any information about either crime, you're asked to call the SIU Department of Public Safety's Crime Stopper Line at (618) 549-COPS.