5:07 p.m., Nov. 18, 2009----Newark Police are investigating two apparently unrelated street robberies, one of which involved a University of Delaware student.

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A 21-year-old UD student parked his car on Prospect Avenue and was walking to a friend's house on the street around 2:35 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18. He noticed he was being following and ran to the front porch of his friend's house. While he was waiting to be let into the house, a man approached him from behind, placed what felt like a sharp object to his back and demanded money. The student was then lightly struck on the head with a blunt object. The student, who was not injured, surrendered his wallet, and the suspect ran off toward Wilbur Street.

As the suspect fled, the student saw a ratchet-style wrench in the suspect's hand. The suspect is described as a man in his early to mid 20s, about 6 feet tall, with an average build and some facial hair. He was wearing a white, hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, a tan zippered jacket with a three-tone stripe (tan, brown and white), blue polyester basketball shorts and white sneakers.

Newark Police are also investigating an armed robbery that occurred around 8:15 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the Cherry Hill Manor neighborhood in Newark. An 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, neither of them UD students, were walking on a service road between Nathan Hale Court and Ethan Allen Court when a man ran up to them and placed an object to the male victim's head. The victim, believing the object was a gun, went to the ground and surrendered money from his pocket. The suspect briefly pointed the gun at the woman and then ran off.

The suspect, who said nothing during the incident, is believed to be about 6 feet tall and was wearing dark clothing that included a hooded jacket or sweatshirt.

Anyone with information about either case is asked to contact Detective Mike Watson at 9302) 366-7110, exyt. 133, or by e-mail at [Michael.Watson@cj.state.de.us]. Information also can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333, where a reward may be available, or information may be texted to 302NPD, with the tip to TIP411 (847411).