$10K Reward Offered In Manhunt For Sexual Assault Suspect
By Jenn Bernstein
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police released surveillance video Tuesday with the hopes that someone will recognize a man who assaulted a woman in Frankford.
Police say it happened on August 29th a little after midnight. The first video shows the suspect walking westbound on Frankford Avenue, and the second video shows the man heading towards a 24-year-old woman on Church Street. Police say he begins pummeling her with his fists, then drags her into an alley where she is choked, repeatedly sexually assaulted and robbed.
Police believe the woman lost consciousness until a little after 3 a.m., when she stumbled up the street and local residents found her.
A group of women gathered Tuesday at the 1500 block of Church Street. A few of them were there when the victim was found that morning. They didn't feel comfortable giving their names.
"I was asking her what happened, what happened? She said she was walking and he, like, just grabbed her. I was like, 'What's wrong?' And she was like, 'He raped me, he raped me,'" said one woman.
The victim also told them her attacker said he had HIV while he was raping her, although police said they hadn't heard that from the victim.
The group of women believes there have been several other attacks since--including one on a young teen--that have gone unreported. They believe the culprit is the same man.
"He needs to be caught," said one woman.
Police are working hard to find the suspect and hope that released surveillance video will help.
"The fact that there's no motivation, other than a random assault on a woman, unprovoked--it's obvious we have to get this guy off the street," said Philadelphia Police Capt. John Darby.
There is a $10,000 reward for the apprehension and conviction of the attacker.
Police say any possible victims are encouraged to come forward to police to make sure this doesn't happen to someone else. If you have any information, you're asked to call (215) 686-8477.
Watch Surveillance Video Of The Suspect (Courtesy: Philadelphia Police Department)
The Mayor's Office is offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Anyone with information is urged to call 911, 215-686-TIPS, or the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3252/3253/3263.
