Penn student robbed of $60 near Stouffer

Suspects brandished gun, fled Two males with a gun robbed a University student of $60 yesterday at about 9 a.m. on 38th Street next to Wawa, according to University Police Capt. John Richardson. Richardson said the two assailants took the student's wallet near the Stouffer College House loading dock and fled the scene in a van. The van was last seen heading east on Spruce Street. Even though the student was robbed in broad daylight, Richardson said the robbery was not unusual. "Robberies can occur at any time," Richardson said. "It's usually a crime of opportunity." There were no witnesses to yesterday's mugging, although it occurred in an area that is usually full of Stouffer employees, construction workers and pedestrians. "At that particular time, there probably weren't too many people around," Richardson said. And according to Maureen Rush, director of victim support and special services, University Police officers monitor the 38th Street intersection with foot, bike and car patrols. The victim described one of the assailants as a 20- to 25-year-old, 200-pound black male, standing 6 feet tall. He was wearing a knitted cap and black sweatsuit. The student described the other assailant as a 25- to 28-year-old, 190-pound black male, 5 feet, 9 inches, with a bald head. The second assailant was wearing a burgundy sweatsuit and tan construction boots without shoelaces. A University Police officer conducted a follow-up interview with the student, Rush said. Victim Support routinely conducts interviews with students who are victims of assault or other crimes. Rush said students can do a number of things to avoid being victims of crime near campus. Students should steer clear of people acting in a suspicious manner, following them slowly in a car, looking at them with "more than a normal friendliness," or approaching them in groups of more than one person, Rush said. "Be aware and try to take cover or draw attention to yourself if you feel in danger," Rush advised. But while students can take steps to minimize the danger in these situations, they are not always able to avoid crime entirely, Rush said. If you are approached by someone with a gun, "you are probably best to cooperate until you have a chance to escape," she added. University students or employees who are victims of crime can seek counseling from the Women's Center, Counseling and Psychology Services and the Victim Support department, according to Rush. Yesterday morning's incident marks the second time in two weeks that University students have been threatened with a deadly weapon. Three assailants held up a student at gunpoint at 40th Street and Baltimore Avenue November 28, taking a leather jacket and an undisclosed amount of cash.