Dispatcher robbed outside of police headquarters in Philadelphia

A dispatcher was robbed Thursday morning as she left for work outside Philadelphia police headquarters, an official said.

A 25-year-old woman was assaulted on Callow Hill Street at 5:41 a.m. when a suspect “came up behind her and grabbed her purse, knocking her to the ground.” Police said in a statement. “The suspect then continued to drag the complainant down the sidewalk and eventually into the street until he was able to take the purse.”

The suspect fled southbound on Callow Hill Street on 15th Street, police said.

NBC Philadelphia The victim was on his way to work at the new police headquarters at Broad and Callowhill streets in Center City, the report said.

Gordon Zammit, president of AFSCME Local 1637, the union that represents shippers, told NBC Philadelphia that the woman is recovering after being hospitalized.

“She was on her way to work, walking in at 6 o’clock – her shift starts at 6 o’clock, literally steps from the door,” he said. “The worst thing we have is people thinking that police headquarters is not safe.”

Police were not immediately available for comment Saturday.

Authorities have released video of the suspect.

Police said it was parked next to a thin building about 6 feet tall. Police said the suspect, who is bald, was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt with a Puma logo, blue joggers with light stripes on the side, black shoes and a black Nike Air bag.