Philadelphia Police plainclothes officers rescued a University student from a knifepoint robbery late Monday night at 44th and Locust streets. University Police spokesperson Sylvia Canada said the Philadelphia officers interrupted the robbery and arrested the assailant. University Police assisted in the arrest. Canada said that at about 11:45 p.m., two plainclothes officers patrolling the area west of campus started to follow a man who was acting suspiciously. Canada said the officers watched the man approach the student, put a knife up to her face and demand her purse. The officers interrupted the robbery and both the suspect and victim started to flee. Canada said the victim apparently did not understand or believe that the officers were police, since they were not in uniform. One of the officers caught the suspect and the other chased down the victim. The latter called University Police for assistance so that a uniformed officer could identify him. Both the suspect and victim were taken to 18th Police District headquarters at 55th and Pine streets. A University Police officer brought the student home. The identity of the assailant was not available.
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.