Commerce Bank robbed at gunpoint

Police also received reports of 41 crimes during spring break. Commerce Bank at 37th and Walnut streets was robbed at gunpoint yesterday morning of an undisclosed amount of money, according to University Police Detective John Peterson. The incident follows a week in which 41 crimes -- including two simple assaults and a shooting at Drexel University -- were reported to University Police. In the Commerce robbery, an armed suspect entered the bank at approximately 10:50 a.m. Monday and demanded money. The suspect -- described as a black man wearing a dark hat and green jacket --Efled the scene on foot before catching a taxi cab at 36th and Walnut streets. University Police officers stopped the cab shortly after the incident, but its driver told police that he had let the suspect off at 26th Street and Gerard Avenue. And although there had been no arrests in the incident as of Monday evening, Peterson said the University and Philadelphia Police officers investigating the incident alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation had several surveillance camera photos of the suspect. During spring break, University Police received reports of 15 actual or attempted thefts, three actual or attempted robberies, five actual or attempted burglaries, two simple assaults, three actual or attempted auto thefts and one aggravated assault. Two men unaffiliated with Penn were shot in the arm by an unknown assailant after a Public League All-Star Game held at Drexel's athletic center March 13. The victims were taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where they were reported to be in good condition. Police have not made any arrests in the incident. A male University student was robbed at gunpoint March 14 at 4040 Locust Street. The student said a man with a gun approached him at approximately 1:55 p.m. and stole a bag containing various personal items. The suspect was last seen running towards Spruce Street, and no arrests were made in the incident. And three students received an unpleasant surprise after returning to their University residences after spring break. In the first incident, a VCR, computer and printer, Yamaha stereo system, 80 CDs and assorted clothing were stolen from a room in High Rise South. There were no signs of forced entry in the burglary, which occurred between 7:30 p.m March 7 and 4:50 p.m. March 15. Two King's Court/English House rooms were burglarized over break as well. A student living on King's Court's first floor told police that a computer system, refrigerator, and several CDs were stolen between March 8 and March 16. And in the room next door, a student reported that an answering machine had been stolen over break. Both students said there were no signs of forced entry. And residents of the W.E.B. DuBois College House reported that a TV was stolen from a fourth floor lounge between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 13. The University Bagel restaurant -- which opened recently in the basement of Houston Hall -- was also burglarized over break. Employees reported that $250 in cash was stolen from the store between the night of March 10 and the morning of March 11. Police are investigating the incident.