At around 10:18 p.m. on Monday night two suspects allegedly accosted an unaffiliated local student at the 4400 Sansom St., just outside the Penn Police patrol zone.
The suspects, both men around 5’10” with dark complexions, approached the female victim with shirts wrapped around their faces. The victim noticed what she presumed to be a firearm in one of the suspect’s hands, Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said.
The victim provided the suspects with the possessions they demand, and they in turn fled the scene, Rush said. The victim then approached a passing AlliedBarton security officer who alerted PennComm. Penn Police responded to the scene, and DPS sent out an UPenn Alert at 10:26 p.m.
“Though the incident did not occur in our patrol zone, it was close enough that we decided to inform the community,” Rush said. The all-clear was sent by 10:46 p.m.
There have been multiple cases of robberies similar to this one to the northwest of Drexel’s campus in past weeks, Rush added. Penn Police will be working closely with the Philadelphia Police to increase patrolling and vigilance in the area.
Rush also pointed out that this was an excellent example of a victim staying calm under pressure and appropriately giving up her possessions in the face of violence.
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