Armed Robbers Flee Past Houses

Two youths, one armed, robbed a clothing and shoe store in the Square yesterday, resulting in a chase through the Harvard campus, Cambridge police said last night.

L.t. Richard Bangiorno of the Cambridge Police Department said two youths entered Berk's on the corner of JFK and Winthrop Streets tried on shoes, and then ran out of the store. In the ensuing chase," one youth pulled a gun," Bangiorno said.

Ancho T. Nguyen '95, who was riding his bike past the store, said he saw the two suspects and chased them down Winthrop Street with the help of a Berk's employee.

Jason M. Freier '92 '93, who was also on the scene, said he saw the two youths running down the street, each carrying a pair of shoes Freier then joined in the chase, he said.

After crossing the parking lot of the Malkin Athletic Center, the two suspects, followed by Nguyen, Freier and the store employee, headed toward Winthrop House, witnesses said.

With his bike, Nguyen out off one of the suspects, Freier said. Nguyen grabbed the youth by the back of his coat, Freier said.

"As the Berk's employee closed in on [the other suspect], one pulled out a gun and stuck it in his face--point blank," said Nguyen.

When one youth pulled out the gun, Nguyen released the other, fearing that the gun wielding youth might point the weapon at him, Nguyen said.

"After that, they both dropped the shoes and ran off," Freier said.

The pair then headed down Mill Street, away from JFK Street, witnesses said.

Cambridge police would not say whether the suspects were in custody.

Berk's acknowledged the robbery, but would not give additional comment. Cambridge police entered the store after the robbery and completed a report of the incident.

Cambridge police would not release that report last night.

Witnesses said the suspects were carrying Doc Martens shoes, a brand which Berk's advertises heavily and sells for up to $125 per pair.

Bongiorno said that the two suspects were male, but would not give further description. Witnesses said that one youth was Asian, the other Caucasian and that both appeared between 18 and 20 years old.

"They looked like the type who hang out in the Square near the I stop," said Freier.

Cambridge police would not say whether they had apprehended the suspects.

Harvard University police, whom witnesses said arrived on the scene, refused to comment last night

"After that, they both dropped the shoes and ran off," Freier said.

The pair then headed down Mill Street, away from JFK Street, witnesses said.

Cambridge police would not say whether the suspects were in custody.

Berk's acknowledged the robbery, but would not give additional comment. Cambridge police entered the store after the robbery and completed a report of the incident.

Cambridge police would not release that report last night.

Witnesses said the suspects were carrying Doc Martens shoes, a brand which Berk's advertises heavily and sells for up to $125 per pair.

Bongiorno said that the two suspects were male, but would not give further description. Witnesses said that one youth was Asian, the other Caucasian and that both appeared between 18 and 20 years old.

"They looked like the type who hang out in the Square near the I stop," said Freier.

Cambridge police would not say whether they had apprehended the suspects.

Harvard University police, whom witnesses said arrived on the scene, refused to comment last night