Sac State Students Robbed Of Cell Phones And iPad At Gunpoint

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Imagine sitting in a parking lot, feeling safe own your own college campus, when all of a sudden a gun is aimed at you.

"It's pretty shocking," said Will James, an exchange student.

The weapon may not have been fired, but on Saturday night a student and a friend were sitting in a vehicle in a Sac State parking lot when, police say, two Hispanic men walk up and one pulls out a gun, demanding the pair hand over their cell phones, wallets and an iPad.

"It is scary cause we walk over there for class," said James.

With nearly every college student carrying a smart phone these days they can become easy targets for thieves.

"I don't understand, why people would want to steal cell phones?" said James.

That's because used phones can sell for as much as $150. To reduce these attacks, district attorneys across the state are seeking an automatic kill switch in phones.

"We have seen how Australia has used this technology and they have had a tremendous impact on cell phone robberies," said SF District Attorney George Gascon.

But until the technology is put to use, students at Sac State will have to be a bit more conscious of who may be lurking nearby.

"I'm going to be more alert and watch behind me -- all times around me," said freshman Gavin Harris.

The students were not hurt, but officers here warn those on campus to be aware of their surroundings and make sure not to have valuable items out in the open.

The suspects were seen driving an older white Honda Civic.