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Arrest made in armed robbery near Temple

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in an armed robbery this week near Temple University. Philadelphia police said Friday that Naiem Lester had turned himself in to face charges that include robbery, aggravated assault and firearms offenses.

Naiem Lester is charged in an armed robbery near Temple University in North Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy of Philadelphia police)
Naiem Lester is charged in an armed robbery near Temple University in North Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy of Philadelphia police)Read more

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in an armed robbery this week near Temple University, and police have released surveillance footage of a suspect wanted in a sexual assault near the North Philadelphia campus that same night.

Philadelphia police said Friday that Naiem Lester had turned himself in to face charges that include robbery, aggravated assault and firearms offenses.

The incident happened at about 10 p.m. Monday, when a 23-year-old woman who was walking with two companions was grabbed by two men who threw her to the ground on the 1500 block of West Thompson Street.

She suffered scrapes to her knees and the suspects fled with her purse.

One of the victim's companions reported hearing three gunshots during the incident. No one was struck by the gunfire.

Police said the warrant for Lester's arrest was issued Tuesday. No further information about a second suspect was released Friday, but police said the investigation remained ongoing.

Also Monday night, a female Temple student was sexually assaulted about a block and a half away in another attack near the school's North Philadelphia campus.

A man approached the 20-year-old woman from behind as she walked on the 1400 block of Carlisle Street and struck her arm with a small silver handgun, according to to police. The man told the victim not to scream, pushed her toward a construction area and sexually assaulted her.

No arrests have been reported in that case.

At a Friday news conference, police released images and a video of a suspect wanted in that incident. The same suspect may be responsible for at least one other robbery in the area, police said.

Daily News staff writer Stephanie Farr contributed to this article.