Cops seek teens who hit Temple student with brick
Police are looking for the group of teenage girls who hit a Temple University student in the face with a brick, and are warning students to be on alert near the school's North Philadelphia campus.
In a message sent to students and staff Monday night, the university said its campus safety department was aware of "multiple off-campus assaults on Temple students" in the area of North 17th Street just west of the campus.
Also Monday night, Philadelphia police released surveillance images, video and suspect descriptions from the Friday evening attack that left a student with dislocated teeth and other injuries to her face.
Authorities said the 19-year-old student and her boyfriend were walking on the 1600 block of Norris Street at about 6 p.m. Friday when a group of four teenage girls approached them.
One of the girls hit the student in the face with a brick, while the others tried to rob the woman's boyfriend.
The suspects then fled, police said, and were last seen boarding a SEPTA bus that was traveling south on 17th Street.
The Temple student was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, where she was treated for wounds to her face and teeth.
All four suspects are described as black girls who were about 16 or 17 years old. Police said one had braids and a red t-shirt; another had straight hair, tattoos on her arms and chest, and a denim jacket; a third was about 5 feet tall and wore her hair in a bun; and the fourth was tall, had straight hair and was wearing white clothing.
A 20-year-old student told NBC Philadelphia that she was also attacked by a group of girls on Friday night.
And Temple said a pair of juvenile girls tried to snatch a student's purse on Monday evening.
"We are asking everyone to remain alert and report any suspicious activities to Temple Police immediately," the university's message said.
The university said it didn't issue an alert on Friday because it wasn't aware of any incidents until hours later.
The university is advising students to be aware of their surroundings, not use devices smartphones when traveling alone, avoid isolated areas and take advantage of the school's shuttle and walking-escort services.
Anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia police at 215-686-3093, 215-686-3047 or 215-686-8477 (TIPS). Tipsters can also send a text message to 773847 (PPDTIP) or e-mail to tips@phillypolice.com.