Briefcase recovered after ransom demand

For the second time in 10 days, Penn Police detectives recovered a stolen item that was held for ransom.

A 29-year-old Penn graduate student was standing on Hamilton Walk behind the Quadrangle at about 6 p.m. Wednesday when he put down his briefcase and began to talk on his cell phone.

After the student completed his phone call, he looked around and discovered that the briefcase was missing.

He immediately reported the theft to a nearby security guard, who relayed the information to police.

Later that evening, the graduate student received an anonymous call from a man claiming to have the briefcase. The caller promised to return it for $40.

The man on the phone said to meet him in front of International House, located at at 3701 Chestnut St., to make the exchange.

After agreeing to meet the caller, the victim again called police.

Penn detectives sent plainclothes officers to the scene with the victim at the time when the transfer was to take place.

A man soon approached the victim and revealed the stolen briefcase, which the victim positively identified.

Officers took Sean Dixon, 36, into custody without incident. The suspect resides on South 52nd Street near Chestnut Street in the Walnut Hill neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

Officers took him to the Philadelphia Police Department's nearby headquarters.

Dixon will face charges of theft and receiving stolen property.

As of yesterday afternoon, he was still in custody, awaiting processing. A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled but should occur within 30 days.

This crime is reminiscent of an incident two weeks ago in which a Penn student received a call from someone claiming to have her iPod music player.

The caller promised to return it for $100 if she would meet him at a designated location.

The victim contacted Penn Police, who sent an undercover officer to the meeting point instead. Police took two 16-year-olds into custody for the crime.

In both cases, the property was returned intact.

The briefcase reportedly contained only files and personal items, not electronics or cash.

Another Penn graduate student was the victim of crime Wednesday night as well.

The 27-year-old man reportedly left Hayden Hall -- located at 3320 Smith Walk -- and saw three men sitting on a nearby bench.

As the man walked past, the three stood up from the bench and, without warning, punched him on the left side of his face.

After the victim fell to the ground, one of the attackers reportedly said something to the effect of, "What are you looking at?"

The men then fled east toward 33rd Street. The victim immediately called police. Nothing was taken from the him.

He sustained minor injuries to his face and right knee, neither of which required hospital treatment.

The suspects are all described as 18 to 20 years old, 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing dark, baggy clothing.

Police are reviewing footage from nearby surveillance cameras to determine whether the incident might have been captured on tape.

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