A third strong-arm robbery in the past month occurred on Monday, Nov. 1 in Merion, when a resident was robbed by a man carrying a blunt object near Merion Botanical Park, according to a police alert issued on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 10:45 a.m. 

"On Monday, Nov. 1 at approximately 10:00 p.m. in the area of Merion Botanical Park, 100 Merion Rd. Merion, a street robbery occurred," the alert said. "The victim was approached by a black male, late teens early twenties, 6'-6'3" tall, medium build, no facial hair, wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt, dark denim jacket and blue jeans. The suspect was armed with a "blunt object" similar to a pipe or baton."

"Nothing was taken from the victim and the suspect fled north on Greystone Rd," the alert said.

The incident follows a robbery at gunpoint in Merion on Oct. 15, and a strong-arm robbery in Bala Cynwyd on Oct. 30.

In the latter incident on Bala Avenue at 7:19 p.m., a resident was walking home when a stranger asked him for a light. The victim stopped to pull out a lighter when he was punched in the face and his possessions were taken and later discarded. The suspects are three black males between 16-18 years of age, about 5'11" in height.

"The Lower Merion Township Police Department would like to remind pedestrians to avoid walking alone, stay in a well lighted area, be constantly aware of your surroundings and have with you an operable cellular telephone," the police alert said.

Anyone with information about any of the robberies is encouraged to contact the Lower Merion Police at 610-649-1000. Residents should also immediately report any suspicious person(s), vehicle(s) or circumstances to the Lower Merion Police by dialing 9-1-1.