Harvard Affiliate Nearly Robbed Outside Kirkland

Three local teens attempted to rob a male Harvard affiliate in front of Kirkland House last Tuesday night, police said.

Ernest Pelligrini, 18, of Cambridge, Mass., and two minors aged 16 were arrested that night for attempting to commit unarmed robbery. One of the minors is also charged with the possession of a BB gun, which police said was not used in the commission of the crime but was found by officers after the incident.

Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) had originally published the names and addresses of the two minors on its online police log but later removed this information late Saturday night.

According to HUPD Spokesman Steven G. Catalano, officers reported to Kirkland House at about 10:35 p.m. on Tuesday night in response to a report that three masked males had demanded money from a Harvard affiliate.

“The victim stated that while walking toward the entrance of Kirkland he noticed three males wearing hoods and masks over their faces,” Catalano wrote in an e-mail. “The victim interpreted this behavior as suspicious and tried to avoid the individuals as they approached him from behind.”

The perpetrators then allegedly ordered the victim to “give us your money,” according to Catalano. The victim responded by immediately swiping into the building and reporting the incident to HUPD.

Following protocol, HUPD did not release the name of the victim.

One of the officers dispatched to the scene found three males who fit the victim’s description on South Street and after conducting an investigation, arrested all three suspects.

Sam J. Lewallen ’08 said he saw “a lot of cops” near the annex of Kirkland on the night of the incident.

“There were two or three police cars,” said Rohan Kekre ’08, who also witnessed the investigation. “They had these guys against the wall, but their backs weren’t against the wall, so they were just talking.”

—Robin M. Peguero contributed to the reporting of this article.
—Staff writer Lulu Zhou can be reached at luluzhou@fas.harvard.edu