UPennAlert Archive

UPDATE: No injuries or building damage reported at this time. UPennAlert: Earthquake reported in the area. Public Safety personnel, Penn Facilities personnel and other first responders are checking all buildings. The Division of Public Safety has been in contact with the City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management who have advised on the following in the event of aftershocks: Stay where you are and Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Get under and hold on to sturdy furniture. Protect your head and neck with arms or pillows. If you are outside, move away from buildings. If you are in a damaged building, move outside. If you've been injured, or are with someone who's been injured, call Public Safety at 215-573-3333. Do not use elevators. At this time no injuries have been reported. The U.S. Geological Service is reporting a magnitude 4.7 earthquake in our region. 

Penn Police received reports of a road rage incident which occurred in the area of 38th and Market Streets. Upon arrival police located evidence of shots fired in the area of 3700 block of Market Street. Parties involved fled the area prior to police arrival. No physical injuries have been reported.

Penn Police responded to a report of an attempted burglary in the 3900 block of Pine Street. The complainant stated that the suspect attempted to enter their residence and then fled westbound on Pine Street. The suspect is described as a male, 5'5" tall, wearing all dark clothing and a black skull cap.

Penn Police responded to a report of a retail robbery with weapon in the 3400 block of Chestnut Street. The store's security officer stated that the suspect brandished a pair of scissors while exiting the store without making payment. The suspect has been identified and placed into custody by police.

Gun shot fired in the 4300 block of Market Street. The complainant stated to police they were inside a store in the 4300 block of Market Street. An individual known to the complainant entered the store, fired a single gun shot at the complainant, then fled the store. There are no reported physical injuries. The suspect is described as a Black male, 5'4"-5'7", medium complexion, wearing a black scull cap, a snap-front Yankees jacket in dark blue and dark blue jeans.

At approximately 12 pm today, Penn Police responded to a call for a juvenile prisoner who escaped from Juvenile Justice Services Center custody while at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia located at 3401 Civic Center Blvd. The individual has not been located. The juvenile is described as a Black male, light complexion, 17 years old, 5'7", 180 pounds, wearing dark blue sweatpants and sweatshirt, socks, and possibly wearing slide-type slip on sandals. Last seen on University Avenue by Civic Center Blvd. If seen, please call Penn Police at 215-573-3333. Philadelphia and Penn Police and other law enforcement agencies as well as Allied security have increased patrols and continue to survey the area.

Penn Police responded to a report of a robbery with weapon in the 4000 block of Baltimore Avenue. Upon arrival, complainant stated that the suspects approached the complainant and demanded the complainant's belongings at point of gun. The suspects are described as a group of 7 to 10 Black male teenagers, wearing all dark clothing and ski masks. One male was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a red logo on the back. They were last seen in the area of 40th and Baltimore Avenue.

Penn Police responded to the report of an attempted theft of an occupied vehicle in the 4200 block of Spruce Street. Upon arrival, Police discovered the suspects approached the complainant while parked in their vehicle, and demanded they exit their vehicle. The suspects then fled east, last seen heading eastbound on Baltimore Avenue towards 32nd Street in a Nissan Kicks PA plate number HTZ4256. The suspects are described as a Black male, 5'8", shoulder length braided hair, heavy build, in his 20s, wearing all black clothing and a black face mask and a Black male, 6', skinny build, in his 20s, wearing all black clothing and a black face mask. There are no reported injuries.

Penn Police responded to the report of an attempted car theft with weapon in the 3400 block of Chestnut Street. Upon arrival, Police discovered the suspect approached the complainant while parked in their vehicle, and demanded they exit their vehicle at point of gun. The suspect then fled north on 34th Street towards Market Street. The suspect is described as a Black male, dark complexion, with some facial hair, 30 years old, approx. 6' tall, thin build, wearing dark clothing and a black knit hat pulled over his ears, carrying a black handgun. There are no reported injuries.

On Sunday, December 3rd at approximately 5:30pm a scheduled Pro-Palestine protest organized by Philadelphia area activist groups began in the area of 17th and Market Street in the Rittenhouse Square area of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police were onsite and monitored the protest, and police traveled with the demonstrators as they proceeded to march west on Walnut Street and eventually joined a vigil for the University City Townhomes property at 40th and Market Streets.  Penn Police were onsite monitoring the march as it approached Penn's campus and continued to monitor the area in partnership with Philadelphia Police until the protest concluded at approximately 8:20pm. Some of those interspersed in the group spray painted graffiti along the march route, including messages about the ongoing war as well as general anti-establishment, anti-police messaging. Penn Police are working closely with Philadelphia Police to identify the individuals responsible for this vandalism. There were no physical injuries to anyone involved.  

Penn Police responded to a report of a robbery with weapon in the 4000 block of Walnut Street. Upon arrival, Police discovered that the suspects approached the two complainants and demanded their coats and boots. The suspects are described as a group of juvenile Black males, ranging in height between 5’7” and 6’ tall, wearing all dark clothing and dark ski masks; one suspect was carrying a pistol. The suspects were last seen heading west on Walnut Street from 40th Street.