In the past week and a half, four robberies, including at least two involving juveniles, occurred within the Penn Patrol Zone, according to both the Philadelphia Police Department and the Division of Public Safety.
On Sept. 15, a 39-year-old male unaffiliated with the University was sitting in his green 1997 Toyota Corolla in the Boston Market parking lot at 39th and Chestnut streets when he was approached by two unarmed males, Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker said.
The two men demanded the victim's money, took his wallet and stole his vehicle by force before fleeing in an unknown direction.
On Sept. 14, a 20-year-old male, also unaffiliated, was surrounded by 10 to 12 juveniles on the 3900 block of Ludlow Street.
The juveniles told him to hand over his belongings. The victim was punched in the eye and was robbed of his Blackberry and a cell phone.
Though the juveniles fled, Penn Police were able to apprehend two 11-year-olds a short distance from the scene of the robbery.
On Sept. 11, a female student was walking on the 4200 block of Spruce Street talking on her cell phone at about 7:00 p.m. when a 14-year-old male rode up to her on a bike, punched her and took her cell phone, according to DPS spokesman Jared Hupp.
The alleged offender fled south on 42nd Street and was stopped at 49th Street and Baltimore Avenue. He was positively identified and arrested by Penn Police.
On Sept. 8, a female employee was walking westbound on South Street at Convention Ave. at about 9:45 p.m. when an unknown suspect walked up behind her and grabbed her cell phone and her purse from her possession.
A struggle ensued, and the victim was knocked to the ground, suffering minor scrapes. The suspect fled on foot southbound toward the University City train platform.
The juvenile robberies come after a rash of juvenile crime hit campus late this summer; at least six incidents involved juveniles during a week in July.
"Unfortunately, again citywide we have seen a large number of crimes being committed by very young juveniles, generally juvenile males," said Vice President for the Division of Public Safety Maureen Rush.
Rush urged students to be aware of their belongings as many assailants have targeted people talking on cell phones.
A car chase also occurred within the Penn Patrol zone at about 12 a.m. Tuesday outside Mayer Hall.
Police believed the vehicle was stolen, and a smell of marijuana emanated from the car, according to Sgt. Shaun Butts of the Philadelphia Police.
According to Walker, the pursuit ended when the driver lost control of his vehicle coming east on Pine Street and attempting to turn onto Baltimore Avenue, ending up on a grassy area.
Four individuals, all unaffiliated with the University, exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
The foot pursuit ended at 38th and Spruce streets, and the four individuals were cited and released.
