UPDATE: On Monday, police reported that the person who reported the attempted robbery recently told investigators the incident never occurred. No more information was available at the time of this report.

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The University of Illinois Police Department issued a Campus Safety Notice Sunday after an attempted robbery and assault occurred Saturday night.

According to the notice, the victim was walking westbound along the south sidewalk of Gregory Drive near First Street and the Ikenberry Commons at 8:30 p.m.

An offender approached the victim from behind, grabbed her left arm, and spun her around before punching her in the face and knocking her to the ground.

While the victim was on the ground, the offender patted her pockets looking for items. The victim then punched the offender in the face, prompting the offender to run away before he managed to take any of the victim’s property.

The assault left the victim with a bruised eye and a bloody nose.

According to the notice, the offender was described as a “white male, approximately 22 years of age, 6 feet tall, approximately 200 pounds with a full brown or black beard.” The offender was reported as wearing a navy sweatshirt and grey sweatpants.

Anyone with information about the attack is encouraged to call the UIPD at (217) 333-1216. Information can also be reported to the Champaign County Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling (217) 373-8477.

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