Rash of armed robberies near Temple University’s campus has students on edge

Police are investigating a rash of armed robberies near Temple University’s campus that has students on edge. The school sent out an advisory this morning warning students of the crimes and advising them to walk in groups and not use cell phones or mobile devices in public.

Philadelphia police said that the first robbery happened shortly after 9 a.m. on Sunday. Two female students, aged 21 and 22, were walking along the 2000 block of North 18th Street when a man threatened them with a gun, making away with a cell phone and a purse.

A second student, a 19-year-old man, was walking about five blocks away near 16th and Edgely streets shortly after 8:15 p.m. Sunday when a gunman ordered him to get down on the ground. Nothing was taken. An 18-year-old female student was robbed on Monday at 8 p.m. in virtually the same location. Police said she was on the 2100 block of North 16th Street when a gunman took a cell phone worth an estimated $500.

Investigators said the victims in all three incidents provided similar descriptions of the gunman and they are looking into the situation to see if the crimes are connected.