Philadelphia police charge man for 7 groping incidents
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Police charged a man who they say inappropriately touched multiple women while riding his bike around Center City and parts of South Philadelphia this week.
Police say they dealt with eight incidents in a short period of time and someone was able to take a picture of the man and that helped officers track him down.
"I was very freaked out to see that was happening here," a person said.
Police say they charged 35-year-old Dequan Jacobs with eight counts of indecent assault and harassment.
The Special Victims Unit wants to know if there is anyone else who may have been assaulted.
Police believe the man is responsible for three incident assaults that occurred on Sunday and four on Monday. In each incident, female victims told police the offender was a man riding a bike.
"He was approaching women from behind and grabbing their buttocks and fleeing the area," Capt. Margo Alleyene-Parker said.
Police say Jacobs drove around multiple areas, including Broad Street, Passyunk Avenue, Pine Street and Walnut Street.
"I was kind of frightened him on the bike and everything that's very strange. I teach preschool so I am always looking out for my kids and everything," a woman said.
While SVU detectives were in the area looking for surveillance video, they happened to spot him.
"And they just happened to see him ride by in a bicycle and they were able to stop him and brought him in for investigations and it ultimately led to his arrest," Parker said.
People who frequent the area say they take their own measures to assure their safety.
"I walk in the street if it's dark at night rather than a sidewalk by myself or I will cross over if I see someone who looks sketchy," Irene Trantas said.
Police are reminding city residents to always be vigilant.
Investigators say they are going back to the beginning of the year to see if there were any similar incidents.
