University of Iowa police investigating pair of attempted cell phone robberies

University of Iowa police are investigating reports of a pair of attempted cell phone robberies on the east side of campus Wednesday.

The first incident occurred about 2:10 p.m., according to an anonymous caller who reported walking along Market Street when two men approached and tried unsuccessfully to grab a cell phone from the victim's hands. The suspects in that case were described as two black men wearing hooded sweatshirts and sunglasses, according to police.

The second incident was reported about an hour later at 3:10 p.m. A person in that case reported walking under the railroad overpass along the Iowa River near Danforth Chapel when a man, also unsuccessfully, tried to grab the person's cell phone, according to UI police.

That person was described as a light-skinned black man wearing a gray pullover hooded sweatshirt, dark khaki cargo pants and white tennis shoes, police reported.

Iowa City and UI police are advising members of the public to avoid people behaving suspiciously and to call 911 immediately when observing suspicious activity.

Anyone with information about the two cell phone incidents can call the UI police at 319-355-5022 or Iowa City CrimeStoppers at 319-358-8477. Anyone providing information leading to a conviction might be eligible for a reward.

UI police also are interested in talking with the first person who called just after 2 p.m.