Police Step Up Patrols As Search Continues For Suspect In Juniata Park Attacks
By Todd Quinones
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A community-wide effort to catch the man who police say attacked three different women.
Thursday night, police met with Juniata residents. Officials are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the alleged rapist (see related story), who is still on the loose.
So far the attacker has targeted women walking alone in the morning (see related story). Police are worried he will do it again.
A surveillance camera captured one brazen attack.
At gunpoint, the suspect pulled a 20-year-old woman right off the street and tried forcing her down an alley.
Fortunately, she escaped unharmed.
Philadelphia Police actively trying to track the man down told neighbors in Juniata Park they have stepped up patrols of regular and plain clothes officers in the area.
They have also released this composite sketch of the man, who is described as having yellow jagged teeth with a noticeable gap.
Paul Frison runs a daycare in the area. He's worried about moms who drop off their children.
"A lot of these mothers are going to the train. Some of them are dropping their cars off and going to the train, and you would hate to have something happen to them while their child is with them," Frison said.
Since October 10, there have been three attacks during the morning hours, including the rape of a 22-year-old woman on E. Lycoming Street.
In the attacks, the suspect often hides in driveways and singles out women walking alone.
"This guy, we don't know if he's an opportunist or targeting special victims. We don't know that. It's tough to tell," Philadelphia Police Captain Charles Vogt told the crowd.
At Thursday night's meeting with residents, police said they received more than 40 tips after this video first surfaced, but since then, tips have begun to slow down.
Police are hopeful the right tip paired with the evidence collected will lead to an arrest.
"We are working closely with our Forensic Science Bureau. I talk to them constantly," Philadelphia Police Lt. Anthony McFadden said.
The City of Philadelphia is offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
