Police are looking for three men -- possibly responsible for a robbery at knifepoint Jan. 24 -- who they say approached three Penn State students early Saturday inside a downtown apartment to ask for help.

One white man and two black men followed the students at about 1 a.m. Saturday in Beaver Hill apartments, 340 E. Beaver Ave., possibly to gain entry into their apartment, according to a press release.

State College police said the incident appears related to a home invasion about two-and-a-half weeks ago at Beaver Hill, in which men fitting similar descriptions robbed an apartment at knifepoint after knocking on the door and asking the student resident if his roommate was home.

"They appear to be almost identical in description and some of their behavior," Sgt.

Chris Fishel said of the two incidents. "I think we can pretty much surmise that they were intent on doing something to take advantage of them."

By appealing for help from the victims in both cases, the suspects are "trying to prey on their good nature," he said.

In Saturday's incident, the suspects told the students they had just been in a fight and they were scared and wanted to use the students' phone. Police said no such fight was reported that night.

State College Police Sgt. Keith Robb said the white man had a small cut on his face, which the victims said appeared self-inflicted.

Fishel said the victims remembered what they had read in the media about the recent home invasion at Beaver Hill involving similar people and circumstances.

Police said the students walked through the building, making up excuses to go to different floors in order to avoid showing the suspicious men their apartment. Fishel said one of the students fled the scene and Robb said the suspects left the premises when they realized the students weren't going to their apartment.

Robb said police suspicions are piqued and noted that in both cases the suspects used a ruse to attempt to gain entrance into the apartment.

Police are warning all State College residents and students to lock their doors and to positively identify any visitors they allow into their residence.

Fishel said students should remember that they have no obligation to let people into their room and suggested calling 911 immediately.

Police have provided descriptions of the three suspects and are asking anyone with information about the cases to contact police at 234-7150.

The first suspect is described as an 18- to 20-year-old white man, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 140 to 150 pounds, clean-shaven, with a medium build and dirty blonde hair in a spiked style.

The second suspect is described as an 18- to 20-year-old black man, with a tall, thin build and a light complexion.

The third suspect is described as a 20- to 23-year-old black man, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a muscular build and a medium skin tone.