Harrisburg Mayor Thompson blames the bad economy on the five students robbed at gun point in four incidents, Thompson went on to say that parents should "give their kids a can of mace to carry with them"

From the Office of the Chief of Police_______PRESS RELEASE.

Type of Incident: Robbery ? 5 students robbed in 4 incidents this morning .

. Investigating Officer: Det. Joseph Zimmerman . Victim R/S/A: see narrative . Accused: Two unknown young black males, about 17 years of age. Thin to medium build, one of dark complexion and the other of lighter complexion. Varying description of clothing worn. Both medium height. . Charges: Pending .

Narrative: 2010-09-02799 On 09-08-2010 at about 0715 hrs. a W/F/16 Bishop McDevitt High School student parked her car in the school lot. She was confronted by two young black males. They told the victim that she could get shot if she didn?t give them her money and cell phone. They took her purse and searched it, taking just 50 cents. They gave the purse back and left.

. 2010-09-02849 On 09-08-2010 at about 0720 hrs. a B/M/15 and W/F/14 Bishop McDevitt students were walking to school in the 2200 block of Market St. They were confronted by two young black males who threatened to shoot them if they didn?t give up their money and cell phones. The robbers took a back-pack from the B/M/15 and found a few dollars and a cell phone which they took. The robbers searched the girl?s purse and gave it back. She didn?t have anything of value. . 2010-09-02827 On 09-08-2010 at about 0720 hrs. a H/M/15 John Harris High School was walking to school in the 2400 block of Market St. when he was confronted by two young black males. One robber had a white t-shirt wrapped around his hand and pretended to have a gun by pointing his hand toward the victim and telling him to look at the gun. The robbers demanded the victim?s valuables. They took the victim?s wristwatch and a video game. .

2010-09-02814 On 09-08-2010 at about 0750 hrs. a H/F/13 Marshall School student was confronted by two young black males as she walked in the 400 block of Hale Ave. They demanded that she surrender her MP3 player or she?d be shot. One robber took the MP3 player and they left. This robbery was seen by a few adults. Two adults confronted the robbers who walked off after defying the adults. The victim was not harmed.