Crime wave keeps police on the run

and Gregory Montanaro A series of unrelated incidents -- including three people hit by cars, a man spotted with a gun and a burglary -- kept University Police running yesterday. In the first incident, a man was dragged for two blocks after he attempted to rob a motorist at 40th and Market streets at about 5:40 p.m., according to University Police Sergeant Tom Rambo. The driver of the car was counting money in his vehicle at the time of the incident, Rambo said. The man demanded that the driver hand over his money. The driver then attempted to flee the area, but the man attached himself to the car, and was dragged to about 40th and Locust streets where he became "dislodged," Rambo said. Officers at the scene remained with the would-be thief, who said that he was hit by the car, while other officers pursued the vehicle and pulled it over at 39th and Pine streets. There was no University affiliation in the incident, and the man hit by the car was arrested and brought to Southwest Detectives for investigation. About 40 minutes later, a pedestrian was struck by a car at 38th and Walnut streets, according to a Philadelphia Housing Authority Police official. He was subsequently transported to Misericordia Hospital, and there were no arrests in the incident. And 90 minutes later, a student and motorcyclist were struck by a car at 37th and Spruce streets, according to University Police Sergeant Keith Christian. The student suffered a broken arm and both victims were transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Later last night, University Police received a call at 12:09 a.m. about a man with a gun at 41st and Walnut streets, Christian said. University Police attempted to stop the man for investigation but he fled and was subsequently caught at 38th and Sansom streets. No gun was found, and although he had outstanding bench warrants, he was released. About 10 minutes later, University Police responded to a call of two men burglarizing the Ronald McDonald House construction site at 39th and Chestnut streets. University Police arrested two men at 40th and Market streets, Christian said, after they fled from the location.

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