Veterinary dean plans to step down next October
Alan Kelly announced yesterday that he will step down from his position as dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine on Oct. 1, 2005, to pursue a yearlong sabbatical. As Penn's longest-standing dean, Kelly has led the Veterinary School for nearly 12 years.
University President Amy Gutmann and Interim Provost Peter Conn described Kelly as a "wonderfully creative and energetic dean" in a statement released yesterday. "We owe Alan an enormous debt of gratitude for his extraordinary leadership and service," they added.
During his tenure, Kelly has worked successfully on issues of fundraising, facilities improvements and research opportunities, according to University officials.
-- Rachel Feintzeig
42nd Street Rite Aid sees 2nd robbery in 2 months
The Rite Aid pharmacy located at 4237 Walnut St. was robbed at gunpoint on Tuesday for the second time in the last two months.
This is the third robbery involving a gun in the campus area since Nov. 20.
According to police reports, the Rite Aid cashier on duty reported that a male entered the pharmacy at approximately 6:55 p.m. and pointed a small handgun at her.
He then demanded that she give him all the money in the register. The cashier complied with the robber's demands, giving him $430 in cash.
The robber then fled the store.
The male was described as being 5-foot-7, black and of thin build, and wearing a blue jacket and a blue knit hat.
There are no other known witnesses to the incident.
Rite Aid management declined to comment, stating only that the matter is still under investigation.
-- Jason Schwartz
Man arrested for robbery of theater cash register
A local man was arrested Tuesday for taking money from a cash register at the Bridge: Cinema de Lux. He later admitted to being the same person wanted for stealing $500 from a student in November.
Police said Sergio Shelton asked an attendant at the Bridge, located at 4012 Walnut St., for change for a dollar at approximately 5:30 p.m. When the attendant opened the register, Shelton allegedly reached in, grabbing an unknown amount of money. He then fled the theater, running down Sansom Street.
The attendant chased after him, and they eventually encountered two security officers on the street who caught Shelton.
He was discovered to be carrying $271, but it is unclear how much came from the register.
When the Penn Police brought Shelton into the station, it was discovered that he fit the description of the man who robbed a female student of $500 at the Wawa located at 3604 Chestnut St. on Nov. 17.
The student was waiting in line to pay for coffee when Shelton came up behind her and snatched her wallet and the money she was holding in her hand.
Shelton faces two charges of robbery as well as other related charges.
-- J.S.
