Three HUPD cruisers responded, and unsuccessfully searched for the assailants, Duarte said.
One of the purses was later recovered without any money in the Peabody Terrace parking lot behind Mather.
The victims said they were surprised that the bystanders did not respond to their cries for help. At least four people were in the courtyard, they said.
"We screamed very loudly, many times," the sophomore said. " It baffles me that no one came over to see if we were all right. Just shouting over might have made a difference."
Duarte said he did not realize that an assault was occurring until he saw the students struggling with the assailants for control of the purses.
"I watched it. I just didn't think it was a robbery, " he said.
Both the victims and other Mather residents said it frightened them that the incident occurred inside the courtyard.
"The thing that I'm most concerned about is that this happened at 6:45 p.m. at night inside the courtyard," the senior said. "I've always thought I was safe once I reached the courtyard."
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