Exclusive: Police Issue Warning After 3 Women Report Being Stalked, Threatened
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Women: Beware.
That's the message from police who say so far, three women have come forward to report that they were stalked and threatened by a man in broad daylight while shopping.
Police believe robbery is the motive.
According to police, they were first notified on May 30th about an incident outside a Target in NE Philadelphia. The second victim reported the crime last Friday on June 3rd outside a Target in South Philadelphia. The third victim came forward on Monday on June 6th claiming it happened to her outside an A.C. Moore store in South Philadelphia.
Police say it appears the suspect randomly picks his victims in the parking lot. In at least one case, he even followed his victim into the store.
That victim told police, she then saw the suspect lingering around her car when she returned. When she approached, he ran away but on her windshield was a note.
All three victims reported that the note ordered them to leave their valuables and purse behind. If they refused, he threatened to hurt their family members.
"I didn't know that happened before you told me. Now I guess I have to look around to make sure no one's following me specifically in and out of the stores. It's scary," Nadia Shakur of Northeast Philadelphia said.
"It's kind of terrifying. I don't normally look at the guys standing around. I guess I will now a little bit closer," Catherine Turcich-Kealey of South Philadelphia added.
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In all cases, the victims knew better and called the police.
The victims described the suspect as a white male in his 40s to 50s who's about 5'10" with a medium build and at the time wearing blue jeans and white sneakers.
Police say they are now reviewing surveillance video as part of their ongoing investigation.
Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
