Man tries to rob bank patron

A man simulating a gun attempted to rob a male patron inside the Mellon Bank Building at 11:26 p.m. on Friday, University Police Lieutenant Susan Holmes said yesterday. Holmes said the suspect fled the 36th and Walnut Street bank after the patron refused to turn over his money. In an unrelated incident, police officers arrested two men attempting to steal a purse from a University employee in the 4000 block of Locust Street around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Holmes said the woman was not injured in the robbery. In another unrelated incident, three men with a gun stole a wallet from a man walking near the corner of 39th and Chesnut streets at 11:26 p.m on Saturday. Holmes said the man, who is not a University affiliate, was not injured during the robbery. In another unrelated incident, University Police stopped a man who was breaking into a van parked in the 3600 block of Chesnut Street at 2:50 a.m. on Saturday. Holmes said the National Crime Information Computer revealed that the man is wanted by the Haverford Township Police for burglary, criminal trespassing, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. In another unrelated incident, an unknown person or persons stole a University student's black Honda from a University lot in the 3200 block of Walnut Street at 9:53 p.m. on Thursday. In another unrelated incident, a male University student assaulted another male student on the basketball court at Weightman Hall at 2:34 a.m. on Saturday. Holmes said the suspect punched the victim while he was shooting baskets during halftime of a game. The victim went to Student Health and received five stitches above his eye. Holmes said the case will be referred to the Judicial Inquiry Office. In another unrelated incident, an unknown person or persons attempted to steal a 1980 Oldsmobile car owned by a University employee from a University lot at 38th and Walnut streets. University Police received a report of the attempted theft at 8:18 a.m. on Saturday. Holmes said the car's steering column had been tampered with, but she did not know how entry was made into the car.