Glendale student chased through tunnel by gang member

A 21-year-old Glendale student was robbed early Friday after a gang member confronted him about walking through their territory on Thompson Avenue, police said.

The student had just finished work on a project at a nearby school and began walking home about 2:44 a.m. through a tunnel on Thompson Avenue and Cosmic Way when he saw a man suddenly turn toward his direction and start running, according to the Glendale Police Department.

The man claimed to belong to a gang and told the student that he had entered into “their territory,” according to police. He asked the student what he had in his possession.

The student offered him his wallet and began walking backward from the alleged gang member, who had simulated as though he had a weapon in his waistband, police said.

The alleged gang member then whistled and a second man appeared and was also simulating a weapon from his waistband, police said.

Following the alleged gang member’s orders, the student threw his wallet and its’ contents on the ground and began sprinting toward his home, police said.

But soon after, the student heard the alleged gang member demand the second man to chase after him, police said.

The student was chased briefly, but he didn’t look back and never stopped and avoided running in a straight line because he feared he would be shot, police said.

The alleged gang member was described as Latino, in his 20s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, heavy set and a buzzed hairstyle. He was wearing a black short-sleeve shirt with a white design and plaid shorts.

The second man was described as Latino, in his 20s, about 6 feet tall, 180 to 200 pounds with a buzzed hairstyle. He was wearing a black button-down shirt and blue jeans.

-- Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA.