U. grad student robbed at gunpoint

A University graduate student and a friend were robbed at gunpoint early yesterday morning on the northeast corner of 44th and Pine streets, according to University Police. The two victims were walking at about midnight yesterday when they were approached by two males. The first assailant was holding a small black handgun and wearing a black face mask. The other man carried a knife and was wearing a white mask. The man with the gun demanded that the victims hand over their money "or he would shoot," according to police. The graduate student's friend handed over $60 in cash. It was unclear last night whether the friend was affiliated with the University. After receiving the money, the men fled in an unknown direction. Both were described as black men, between the ages of 20 and 25, over 6' tall with medium builds. The victims, who did not report the crime until around 11:30 a.m. yesterday, were taken to the Philadelphia Police Department's Southwest Detectives Bureau at 55th and Pine streets for questioning. The location of the incident is not in the University Police patrol area. Yesterday's armed robbery is at least the third involving University students since the start of the school year. On September 12, a female student was robbed at gunpoint by two men, just steps from Locust Walk near Van Pelt Library on 36th Street. And on September 7, five seniors were held up by two men while walking on 40th Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets. One of the assailants was reportedly carrying a semi-automatic weapon. No arrests have been made in either of those cases.