Students Advised To Walk In Groups After Armed Robbery At Saint Joseph's University
By Dan Wing
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Officials at Saint Joseph's University are advising students to play it safe after a few incidents involving a group of teens targeting students.
Both incidents took place near the campus on September 6th and both involved students at Saint Joseph's University.
The first happened a little before 10pm on Sunday, when a group of 4 to 5 teens on bikes, one of whom had a gun, attempted to rob a group of students on Bryn Mawr Avenue. The students in that incident got away safely by running in to a nearby building.
Then about 5-minutes later, a student reported being robbed by a group of teens on bikes on North 52nd Street, again one of them was armed with a gun. The student had his wallet and cell phone taken, but was not injured.
The University's Joe Lunardi says the string of cases stretches back a couple weeks.
"We've had a number of incidents off-campus, culminating Labor Day weekend, 5 incidents total, in which students have been approached," says Lunardi, "we think sometimes at gunpoint, sometimes not."
With that in mind, Philadelphia Police and Saint Joseph's Security are increasing patrols in the area, and are asking students to walk in groups and park in well-lit areas. They are also reminding students that escorts are always available through the university's public safety headquarters.
To report crimes in progress or other emergencies, contact police first by dialing 9-1-1 and then Public Safety Headquarters via an Emergency Blue Light Phone or by dialing 610-660-1111.
