Police arrest suspect in robbery

Two robberies and one attempted robbery were reported in the area this weekend, leaving many concerned about campus safety. University Police apprehended Maurice Tinley, a 19-year-old black male, in connection with one of the robberies. Investigators are trying to determine if Tinley is tied to the three crimes. According to University Police, the first robbery occurred on Friday around 7:50 p.m. on the 3800 block of Ludlow Street. Two female students reported that a black male approached them from behind and put his hand on the back of one student's head. The two students then handed over their purses, and the perpetrator fled the scene. One of the students reported that the man stole $15, a debit card and a PennCard, while the other reported that he took $25, a cell phone and a Visa card. The students described the perpetrator as a black male in his twenties, around six feet tall, with a thin build and a dark complexion. They also said that he was wearing a black knit hat and a black puffy jacket. A second incident allegedly occurred Friday around 9:14 p.m., just four blocks away on the 3400 block of Ludlow Street. A female complainant unaffiliated with the University reported that a black male attempted to rob her. However, the woman said that she screamed as he approached her, and the perpetrator fled the scene before taking anything from her. The description of the perpetrator involved in the attempted robbery resembles that of the first robbery. The complainant described the perpetrator as a black male, around 20 years old, wearing dark clothing. A third robbery allegedly occurred on Saturday night. A female student reported a robbery around 7 p.m. on the 3700 block of Sansom Street. The perpetrator allegedly stole the student's bag, which did not contain any money, before running away. Following the incident, the student ran to a police car parked next to the 7-Eleven on 38th Street. The police released a description of the perpetrator and ultimately arrested Tinley in connection with the incident. When searched, Tinley was found to possess the cell phone stolen in the first robbery. According to Sergeant John Washington, detectives will continue to investigate the three incidents this week, searching for possible links between Tinley and the three alleged crimes. This weekend, University Chief of Police Tom Rambo urged all Penn students to exercise caution when walking around campus. Rambo reminded students to avoid walking alone and encouraged them to use the University's escort service by calling (215) 898-RIDE or (215) 898-WALK.

Comments (5)

It would have been better if the article didn't tell us the perpetrator's race, because it might result in unwarranted suspicion of members of that race. The article should also leave out how the perpetrator was dressed, because choosing to dress a certain way shouldn't make you a suspect. It's also unfair to mention the height and weight of the perpetrator, because people can't help belonging to certain height and weight groups, and to put them under suspicion for such immutable characteristics is unconscionable. Mention of the perpetrator's gender, moreover, only perpetuates gender roles in a society that is trying ever so hard to cast them off. Perhaps a better description of the suspects would have been... WANTED - Bad Person. JEB

Thanks for articulating, Steve. After reading Ms Blatt's article, I'll be sure to cower in the face of black males, and look out for them whenever I walk around the area. If it weren't for her gratuitous usage of the term "black male," I might have been naive enough just to watch out for sketchy characters on dark side streets. But now, I know how to be cautious all around campus--just assume that all black males are criminals waiting to rob me. Whaddya say, should we just attach homing transmitters to all of them? Maybe then they wouldn't show up in the crime pages so often. How simple! Jeff Travia, Sophomore Univ City nycjt@yahoo.co.uk

In response to Mr. Breuer's allegations that the DP is being racist by using the term "black male," he appears to be behaving like most liberals do - disguising the facts. We need to be safe around campus, and it is important to know who we should watch out for. If black males want to be mentioned less in crime stories, they should commit fewer crimes. Simple as that. Steve Penn

You guys have got to be kidding. It's a police report, it has details. And if you currently believe that most crimes in the University City area are not committed by (I'm not sure how to say this without offending you) black males, then I strongly urge you to go to the police station and do some research. Also Mr Breuer, I find it rather interesting that you even noticed the term "black male" was used five times. Maybe you're just more "racially conscious" than most of us. Please get off your high horse. Cher Reynolds, Student

You use the term black male five times in this article. It could not be more overtly racist. There is absolutely no need for readers to know the perpetrator's race. Reporting it five times fuels the already hugely racial bias in reporting. It fuels distorted beliefs about crime and race. The author and editorial board should be ashamed to publish such a openly racist report on the front page- especially on Dr. King�?s day. I am appalled. Bradley Breuer, Student bbreuer@sas.upenn.edu

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