Spring Break
DPS links three robberies to same suspect
Noah Cohen
Issue date: 7/25/08 Section: News
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The robberies were committed in the late evening and early morning in the area bound by 34th to 36th streets and Powelton Avenue to Spring Garden Street, according to a University-wide e-mail.
The suspect is described as a heavyset black male, 30 to 40 years of age, approximately six feet tall, 240 pounds and having a Sunni-style beard.
Cell phones, cash and wallets were taken in each crime and no weapon was used, according to DPS.
At least two of the crimes involved Drexel students who were talking on cell phones outside their homes when a suspect approached, made a threat and took their valuables, according to incident reports filed by DPS.
The safety alert urged students to avoid being distracted by cell phones and iPods while walking in the area.
"At the time of these robberies, the students were ator near their residence and were talking on their cell phones. The offender approached the students and forcibly took their cell phones, and also went through the students' pockets," according to a safety alert on the DPS web site.
Incident reports show the first crimes in the pattern occurred July 13 at 35th Street with an attempted robbery at Spring Garden and a robbery at the 3300 block of Baring Street. The victim robbed at Baring Street was a Drexel student, and the victim at Spring Garden Street was not affiliated with the University.
Another Drexel student reported being robbed July 17 at approximately 2 a.m. of $20 and a debit card at 35th and Baring streets.
A DPS officer noticed what was thought to be the robbery suspect at 34th and Spring Garden streets; however, the victim said it was not the suspect.
It turned out that individual was wanted on an unrelated burglary warrant and was arrested by Philadelphia Police.
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