The University saw a rash of robberies this weekend, with a total of three incidents taking place near campus early Saturday and Sunday mornings.
In all three robberies, Penn students were the victims, and one of the robberies involved a gun. Penn Police say the robberies are probably related.
"We have plenty of reason to think that they're connected," Detective Supervisor Frank DeMeo said.
The first incident occurred at 3:49 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. A male University student was walking near 41st and Locust streets when he reported that he was approached from behind and punched in the face by a black male. The man took the student's wallet and driver's license before fleeing the scene, according to police.
The second robbery also took place on Saturday. Shortly after 4:30 a.m., a male University student was walking east on Spruce Street near St. Marks Street when he reported that he was approached by two black men. One of the men allegedly grabbed the student by the shirt and demanded the student's money. Police say the assailants then took the student's wallet and PennCard and fled south on St. Marks toward Pine Street.
Then, on Sunday at 2:20 a.m., a male Penn student and a female Penn student were walking on the 4200 block of Locust Street. They reported that they were approached by two black men. The first man grabbed the woman's arm and attempted to take her purse. Her companion then pulled her away. At that point, the man revealed a black revolver. The two students started to walk away, and their assailants also then left the scene.
The student in the first robbery later described his assailant as a black male with a light complexion, thin build, cleanly shaven and approximately 5'11" tall.
According to the student in the second robbery, the first man was in his mid-30s, approximately 5'8" tall with a dark complexion, thin build and a light beard. He reported that the second man was in his late 20s, approximately 5'10" to 6'0" tall, had a dark complexion, thin build and full beard.
In the third incident, police said the students described their assailants as black men in their mid-20s. The first man was approximately 5'10" to 5'11" with a dark complexion and wore a white cloth around his face. The second assailant was approximately 5'11", with a medium build, dark complexion and cleanly shaven.
Penn Police say that the similarity between the assailants' descriptions is one of the reasons they believe these robberies are connected.
"The light complexion [in the first robbery] is the only difference in the descriptions, and that is in the eye and the mind of the beholder," DeMeo said.
Another similarity the incidents share is that all the assailants approached the victims from the back.
Penn Police say they hope to catch the perpetrator of this weekend's robberies.
"We have several leads we're working on," DeMeo said.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
