In the first incident, at 40th and Chestnut Streets, a student was approached by an actor who stated that he was new to the United States and in need of assistance regarding lodgings. A woman entered the conversation posing as a sympathetic passer-by. Ultimately, the student was asked to place her jewelry and cash into a handkerchief along with what was represented as $5,000 in cash. The student was asked to hold the handkerchief for the actor until he obtained secure lodgings. The handkerchief given to the student contained only a roll of paper.
In the second scenario, a female actor, described below, has approached individuals at 32nd and Market Streets during the evening hours requesting help with a dead car battery. The actor has successfully obtained cash, supposedly to purchase a new car battery, and has prefaced her requests by falsely stating that she is an employee of the Newman Center, 3720 Chestnut Street.
Safety Tips:
Persons with information regarding the two incidents described above may contact the Penn Police Department at the below-listed telephone numbers:
Penn Police: 898-7297
Penn Detectives: 898-4485
Victim Support: 898-4481/6600
--Officer Ann Haines and Lt. Susan Holmes
Almanac
Volume 42 Number 30
April 30, 1996
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