Lightning-fast police work nabbed five teenagers who allegedly assaulted--and then tried to rob--a Harvard student last night.

The female student, whose name police would not release, told officers she was walking along Mill Street at about 9:30 p.m. in front of Winthrop House when five teens--two females and three males--pushed her and tried to grab a chain off her neck.

The five teens then allegedly ran towards Mass. Ave along Holyoke Street.

Within a minute, Harvard University Police (HUPD) squad cars converged on the area.

HUPD's dispatcher broadcast a description of the suspects--three young males and two young females wearing dark clothes. An officer raced to the T station in the Square to prevent the suspects from fleeing through the subways.

Seconds later, the officer radioed that he'd seen five suspects who matched the description given by the victim.

Cambridge Police Department officers, who responded at Harvard's request, assisted in apprehending the five suspects.

While the suspects waited outside the subway station surrounded by six uniformed officers, an HUPD police cruiser brought the victim to the scene.

The victim then identified her alleged attackers, according to officers on scene.