Worker's gun threat results in suspension

University Police were busy last week with a high number of crimes reported on or near campus. A University employee was suspended last week for allegedly pulling a gun on another employee, according to police reports. And in unrelated incidents, there were eight muggings, two at gunpoint, near campus last week. Also, several thefts from University gymnasiums were reported. The incident which led to the suspension occurred last Thursday in the Clinical Research Building cafeteria at 8:50 p.m., according to University Police Lt. Susan Holmes. Holmes said one housekeeping employee alleges that a co-worker pulled a gun on him and "threatened to kill him." According to Carl Rausch, assistant director of operations, the accused employee was given a four-day suspension, and was back on the job yesterday. Rausch said that the suspension was lifted because "nothing had been proved." Rausch added that there was apparently a dispute about work conditions. University Police Det. Larry Singer said Wednesday that according to the victim, a small handgun was used. He added that the accused employee said a small tool could have been mistaken for a gun. No gun has been discovered. Singer said police are still looking for witnesses and added that without any, the incident is a case of "one guy's word against the other." The names of the employees were not released. · In an unrelated incident Friday night, three University students were held up at gunpoint on the 4000 block of Spruce Street by a group of male teenagers, according to Holmes. According to reports, each of the students had his wallet taken including a $3,000 personal check in one and a total of $85 cash. The incident occured at 11:50 p.m. and the suspects fled north on 41st Street in a light blue van and a beige Cadillac. In another unrelated incident, on June 17 at 8:50 a.m., a female University employee was robbed at gunpoint at 45th Street and Larchwood Avenue. The robber pointed a gun at the victim and took her backpack, according to the incident report. A female student was robbed at knifepoint early Tuesday morning according to reports. The student's purse, containing $80 cash and assorted credit cards, was taken on the 4200 block of Walnut Street at 1:25 a.m. · Five unrelated muggings were also reported: On Monday at 6:18 p.m., a University faculty member's wallet was taken by two males at 37th and Sansom Streets. On Friday at 11:48 p.m. a female University student reported $24 taken near 38th and Chestnut Streets, according to Holmes. The suspect fled in a drak blue car with partial license plate XMJ. On Monday, a woman was robbed at 41st Street and Baltimore Avenue, by two individuals, who pushed the victim to the ground and took her purse. The incident occured at 4:45 p.m. A woman had her purse taken on the 200 block of South St. Marks at 4:13 p.m. Monday, according to police reports. The assailant got out of a dark gray buick, grabbed the woman's purse and fled west on Walnut Street. On Sunday at 10:34 p.m. a robbery was reported at 42nd and Pine Street. No further details were available. · Several unrealted incidents were also reported at Gimbel and Hutchinson gymnasiums last week. On Friday, a Pine Street resident reported that his bag containing house keys and a PennCard was taken from Gimbel at 8:17 p.m. When the victim returned home, he found his apartment ransacked and cashand jewelry stolen, according to reports. No forse was used to enter the apartment. In an unrelated incident, On June 17, a University student caught an bike-napper red-handed at Hutch. The individual was take to the Philadelphia Police 18th District for processing. On Saturday, at 3:27 p.m. a University student reported that his wallet, which had been left unattended in the Hutch Gym basketball court was stolen. The wallet contained $4 cash and a drivers license. On Fridat at 5:34 p.m. a wallet was reported stolen from Gimbel Gym, And, on Monday at 10:08 p.m. an unattended napsack was reported stolen from Hutch Gym.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.