Crime and Security Issues - Page 13 - PhillyBlog

fivetonine · #**121** (**permalink**) 12-02-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syrinx2112

Two teens held in armed robbery west of campus
Police say suspects had BB guns resembling handguns near 45th St.
By andrew whitney
December 2, 2005

Two young suspects were arrested Wednesday following an armed robbery to the west of campus.

Penn Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Mike Morrin said that a 25-year-old male University of the Sciences student was walking on the 4500 block of Chester Avenue at about 8:45 p.m. when two juveniles -- a male and a female -- approached him, showed guns and demanded money. This is the second time in a week that a group of young teenagers has been arrested for attempting to rob a Penn student.

The robbers took a wallet and a backpack containing a cell phone and MP3 player. After they fled, the victim flagged down a nearby University City District safety ambassador, explained what had happened and gave descriptions of the suspects.

The safety ambassador was able to disseminate "flash" information on the suspects to all Penn and Philadelphia police officers in the area.

Penn officers responded to the scene. Although the crime occurred outside of their patrol zone, Penn Police often respond to nearby crimes, Patrol Capt. Joseph Fischer said.

Two plainclothes Penn officers near the intersection of South 46th and Regent streets saw a two people fitting the descriptions. The officers identified themselves and stopped the men, but the suspects fled on foot. After a pursuit, Penn officers stopped the male suspect at 46th and Regent streets, while Penn and Philadelphia police caught the female suspect at 46th and Reinhard streets.

Both suspects are 14 years old and reside in Southwest Philadelphia. Police are withholding their identities because they are juveniles.

When police arrested the suspects, each was allegedly carrying a BB gun that looked similar to a 9-millimeter handgun.

The robbery victim positively identified each suspect.

Officers found the stolen backpack nearby on the 4500 block of Kingsessing Avenue and recovered all of the possessions intact.

Police transported the teenagers to the Philadelphia Police Department's 18th District headquarters at 55th and Pine streets.

The teens are charged with robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and possessing an instrument of crime.

The male suspect was also charged in connection with a robbery that occurred around 1:40 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of 45th and Regent streets.

In that incident, two women, 24 and 25 years of age, were walking on Regent Street when the teen allegedly approached them and grabbed a cell phone and a bag containing clothing from them. The 24-year-old victim is a Penn staff member.

No one was injured in either incident.

Morrin said that police are still investigating the possibility that the suspects could be connected to other recent crimes in the area.

Fischer lauded the efforts of police in capturing the suspects. "Our officers have been relentless," he said. "They are sending a message that we're not going to allow violence to occur in and around our patrol area."

Thanks for sharing. Nice to read some good news in this thread. The system worked for a change!

syrinx2112 · #**122** (**permalink**) 12-03-2005, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivetonine

Thanks for sharing. Nice to read some good news in this thread. The system worked for a change!

Yeah it is. Let's hope they continue to crack down on this. I've already been robbed once and that is enough!

syrinx2112 · #**123** (**permalink**) 12-06-2005, 10:44 AM

Robberies decline at Penn, rise at Drexel

[Chris Poliquin/The Daily Pennsylvanian]
A student walks past an emergency phone at dusk near Drexel University. Drexel's campus has seen a rise in crime, while Penn's crime uptick has subsided in recent weeks.

Penn Police boost aid for neighbor's efforts; threat of crime persists
By andrew whitney
December 6, 2005

The wave of juvenile crime that plagued Penn's campus in November has moved to Drexel University -- and stuck there.

But University Police officials said the shift does not mean that robberies are no longer a concern for Penn.

Penn Police Captain Joe Fischer said police are lending Drexel security officers a hand to try to catch criminals so that they do not swing back into Penn's jurisdiction.

The area surrounding Drexel has experienced eight armed robberies in the last two weeks, Drexel Senior Vice President for Public Safety Ben Gollotti said.

Gollotti added that most of the crimes occurred in the Powelton Village neighborhood, located north and northwest of Drexel's campus.

Many Drexel undergraduates live in the affected areas along Powelton Avenue and Baring Street.

Unlike Penn, Drexel does not have its own privately funded police force. It employs AlliedBarton Security guards to patrol the area around its campus.

To combat the current crime wave, Drexel has extended its patrol boundaries to the north and west.

The area now includes most of Powelton Village.

Gollotti added that Drexel has worked with Philadelphia Police to increase patrols at night.

As a final measure, Penn Police are "assisting and responding" with uniformed and plainclothes officers in the affected area, Fischer said.

The latest armed robbery near Drexel's campus involved four local residents, one of whom is a Drexel student.

Penn officers responded to the scene at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday after Philadelphia Police were notified of the crime.

Penn Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Mike Morrin said that a man approached a female Drexel student while she was opening the door to her home -- located in the 3800 block of Hamilton Street -- and used a gun to force her inside.

Once inside, the robber demanded money from the four residents.

He fled with $300 in cash.

In this case, however, the offender did not appear to be a juvenile.

Drexel students seem relatively unconcerned with the recent problems.

"I'm not really that worried about it," Drexel freshman Jessica Kim said. "I stay on campus."

However, Gollotti believes that there is reason for concern. "Penn students, Drexel students and everyone should be concerned about traveling anywhere in the city [because] the incidents are not isolated to just West Philadelphia," he said.

cvj1421 · #**124** (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 10:29 AM

I was talking with community members and handing out literature. After talking with a asian worker at the donut store/laundramat, I informed the store was robbed at gunpoint a few days ago.

JonB · #**125** (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvj1421

I was talking with community members and handing out literature. After talking with a asian worker at the donut store/laundramat, I informed the store was robbed at gunpoint a few days ago.

Where at?

syrinx2112 · #**126** (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 01:14 PM

Area man thwarts armed robber
25-year-old man gets help from restaurant patrons and employees to chase attacker off
By andrew whitney
December 7, 2005

A 25-year-old man fought back Sunday evening after an armed robber demanded money from him on the 4200 block of Chestnut Street.

Penn Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Mike Morrin said that at about 8:15 p.m. a man approached the victim, grabbed him by the collar and demanded money.

The attacker reportedly placed a revolver against the victim's stomach while making the demand.

The victim told the man that he did not have any money with him but that he would go inside a nearby restaurant and get some from an ATM.

Once inside the restaurant, the victim told patrons and employees what had happened.

The victim, and several people who had been inside the restaurant, then ran outside to chase the would-be robber.

The man did not shoot at the group, but instead fled north on 42nd Street and escaped.

A short time later, the victim alerted a Philadelphia police officer who was passing in a police car.

The victim, who is not affiliated with Penn, described his assailant as a clean-shaven black male in his mid-30s, 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium complexion and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and white pants.

In a separate incident, Penn Police arrested a 17-year-old male -- who is unaffiliated with the University -- for allegedly carrying a gun near campus Friday night.

At about 8:10 p.m., employees monitoring surveillance cameras at the Division of Public Safety PennComm center noticed someone riding a bicycle in circles near the intersection of 34th and Spruce Streets.

While under surveillance, the person hid the bike in some bushes and walked away.

Morrin said that PennComm employees alerted uniformed officers, who waited near the bike for the person to return.

When he did, police frisked him and questioned him about his behavior.

During the search, police reportedly discovered a .25-caliber semi-automatic handgun in his right jacket pocket.

The 17-year-old -- who resides on the 500 block of North Simpson Street in West Philadelphia -- was arrested and charged with weapons violations. Police are not releasing the suspect's name because he is a juvenile.

T.O. · #**127** (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 02:29 PM

I have said this before I am a little afraid of Big Brother, but hey it worked out in this case. Cameras can definitely help deter crime, especially if they are monitored by a vigilant employee.

gap27 · #**128** (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 02:47 PM

I'm guessing something must have happened on my block recently, because for the past three nights I've been coming home late to find a Drexel Security guard walking back and forth up and down the street. While I like the idea of having someone keep an eye out, its a little disturbing to think that the only reason this person is out there is because crime has gone up considerably. I'm usually not so concerned, but having guards stationed at blocks like this is making me a little paranoid.

I really hope some of these thugs are caught. The last thing I want is for them to think our neighborhood is an easy target and that they can get away with anything they want. The point in which a significant majority of criminals get away with their crime is the point where I think things have gotten downright dangerous.

JonB · #**129** (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 03:28 PM

We have to seriously do something about all of this crime in University City and push it back to West Philly where a majority of the criminals are living.

JonB · #**130** (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 03:34 PM

It looks like the people hanging around is finished with. During the past week I have only noticed one occurence of two people hanging outside. But, I did notice a new group of people on the front side of the building on Baltimore Avenue.

seand- I wanted to PM this to you but it says your mailbox is full! Delete some stuff!