Although he has been arrested 13 times before, a 32-year-old Bronx man hasn't yet learned that crime is a losing proposition, according to Chief Arnaldo Bernabe, director of public safety at Hostos College.

The director said Campus Security Assistant Melvin Marrero was on duty at the entrance to the Savoy Manor Building at 120 Walton Ave. at 10:15 a.m. June 12 when a man entered and asked to speak to a Counselor named Diane Martin.

Marrero said he did not know the Counselor and was checking the Bronx college's directory when Campus Peace Officer Victor Guzman came to relieve him. They sought to get more information from the man, who began removing a bright flowery shirt and a pair of jeans he was wearing over another pair of pants.

Suspecting that the man might be changing his appearance after fleeing a crime scene, the officers sought to detain him. He bolted out the front door, the officers in pursuit.

As the man sped out the door, a second man came down the street, pointed to the fleeing speedster, and hollered, "He robbed me!"

Guzman radioed for backup and was met by Peace Officer Joseph Cruz, a member of the Hostos Bike Patrol and University S.A.F.E. Team, and Officer Philip Atkins.

They chased the fleeing man and after a brief struggle arrested and handcuffed him.

With the perpetrator in hand, they talked to his accuser. They were told by the victim, an attendant at a gas station not far from the college, that the man had grabbed him by the neck and robbed him.

Still holding him around the neck, the thief demanded money and grabbed the victim's wallet from his pants. Once he got the wallet, he punched the victim and then pushed him to the ground.

Chief Bernabe said the robber had apparently planned the job and wore the second set of clothes to change his appearance once police got a description.

The Bronx District Attorney's office said the man, who was charged with robbery and possession of drug paraphernalia, had been arrested 13 times before.