Armed theft reported at 39th, Market

University Police are investigating an armed robbery and assault of a female Penn student that occurred nearly two weeks ago but was not immediately reported. The 20-year-old undergraduate was reportedly walking south on 39th Street near Market Street around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 9 when a man - whom she described as between 20 and 30 years old and about 5-foot-9 with a medium build - approached her. At that point, police said, the robber drew a handgun and demanded money. The victim handed over her wallet, which contained about $40 in cash as well as identification. At some time during the robbery, the assailant pushed the victim to the ground. She was "roughed up," according to police, but did not sustain serious injuries. The suspect fled north on 39th Street. Penn Police are working with the Philadelphia Police Department's Southwest Detective Division to investigate. In an unrelated incident last Thursday, police arrested a man and his son for allegedly assaulting a Fresh Grocer employee outside the store, located at 4001 Walnut St. Earlier in the week, the employee and the son were allegedly involved in an argument, the subject of which is not known. The son - whose name is not being released because he is a minor - returned around 6:30 p.m. Thursday and lured the employee outside, where the suspect's father, 38-year-old Jason Daniels, was waiting, unbeknownst to the employee. The father-and-son duo then allegedly beat the other man, who is 26 years old. By the time the assault stopped, the victim had sustained minor injuries. He was transported to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and was released shortly thereafter. The weekend saw no reported crimes against persons. Penn Police Patrol Captain Joseph Fischer said that the police have placed extra uniformed and plainclothes officers on the streets during the nighttime hours in an effort to reduce crimes such as robbery and assault. Officers are looking for suspicious behavior and monitoring any individual who appears to be following someone else. Although the initiative is campuswide, the focus of the patrols is the portion of Penn Police jurisdiction west of 38th Street, where many students live. Another patrol initiative placed additional officers near problematic bike racks to combat the increase in bike theft that often accompanies a new school year. Police are continuing a push to get students to register their bikes to aid recovery in the event that they are stolen. Officers will be in college houses starting tomorrow to make registration more convenient.