Police investigating armed robbery of student last night

Police are investigating an armed robbery of a student that occurred near Cecil B. Moore Avenue and 16th Street last night.

Executive Director of Campus Safety Services Charlie Leone said in an email that at about 10:35 p.m., a student left his residence and started walking northbound on Willington Street.

The student was then approached by an unknown male near Master Street, who asked him for directions to the subway. After the student gave him directions, the male continued following the student, asking if he wanted to buy scented oils, Leone added.

Leone said the male then looked through his backpack, appearing to look for the scented oils. On the 1600 block of Willington Street near Cecil B. Moore Avenue, he pulled a handgun on the student, demanding his phone.

The student then gave the suspect his black iPhone 4S, along with $10. The male then fled south on Willington Street, toward Oxford Street, Leone said.

Leone added that the student reported the robbery at AlliedBarton Security Headquarters at 16th Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue. A TU Alert was then sent out about the incident. No injuries were reported.

The suspect was described as a 15- to 18-year-old male, last seen wearing a dark gray hoodie and dark jeans, Leone said. He is 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighs 170-180 pounds.

He was also last seen carrying a black backpack and revolver-like handgun, Leone said. Both Philadelphia and Temple Police surveyed the area following the robbery, but were unable to find the suspect. Leone added that police are checking all residential and business cameras in the area, and are increasing patrols in the southwestern region of the patrol border.

Anyone with information about last night’s robbery is encouraged to contact Campus Safety Services at 215-204-1234.

Steve Bohnel can be reached at steven.bohnel@temple.edu or on Twitter @Steve_Bohnel.