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.

For the next 15 minutes, HUPD officers questioned the teens and then handcuffed them.

Around 9:50 p.m., a van arrived to transport the suspects to HUPD headquarters at 29 Garden St.

"No, I didn't do it, I didn't do it," said a female suspect as she was led to the van.

As the suspects were led away, smiling HUPD officers thanked their Cambridge counterparts for assistance and patted each other on the back.

One of the officers played down the quick capture of the suspects. "Just lucky, just a little luck, that's all it is."

According to an officer on the scene, the suspects will each be charged with assault with intent to rob and disorderly conduct.

Their names and ages were not available last night.

The victim was not injured.