Police searching for robbery suspect

Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Maurice Tinley in connection with a series of robberies that allegedly occurred near campus earlier this month. Tinley is wanted on four counts of robbery and related charges. Police originally took him into custody in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred the night of Jan. 18. Tinley was questioned and released while police completed their investigation. Victims have since positively identified Tinley, linking him to three separate alleged incidents of robbery. According to Deputy Chief of Investigations Bill Danks, University Police believe Tinley may have fled to New Jersey, where his mother resides in Camden. Because the investigation crosses state lines, University and Philadelphia police have alerted a Federal Bureau of Investigation task force to help with the investigation, Danks said. Tinley is wanted on four counts of robbery. Two of the counts involve a single alleged incident in which there were two victims. The first robbery allegedly occurred on Jan. 17 around 7:50 p.m. on the 3800 block of Ludlow Street. According to two female students, a black male approached them from behind and put his hand on the back of one student's head. They reported that they then handed over their purses before the perpetrator fled the scene. One student reported that the man stole $15, a debit card and a PennCard. The other reported that he took $25, a cell phone and a Visa card. A second incident allegedly occurred that night at approximately 9:14 p.m. on the 3400 block of Ludlow Street. A woman unaffiliated with the University reported that a black male attempted to rob her but fled the scene when she screamed. The final incident allegedly occurred on Jan. 18 at approximately 7 p.m. on the 3700 block of Sansom Street. A female student reported that the perpetrator stole her bag, which did not contain any money, before fleeing. Police apprehended Tinley shortly after the third incident. He was found to be in possession of the cell phone reported stolen in the first alleged robbery. Tinley is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 6'1" and weighs 170 pounds. Anyone with information regarding Tinley is encouraged to contact the University Police or the Philadelphia Police Department's Southwest Detective Division at (215) 686-3183.

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