Police: Sexual Assault Victim Left Naked, Unconscious In Pennypack Park
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A woman tells police she was biking through a local park when she was attacked and knocked unconscious, when she awoke, she says her clothes were gone and she'd been sexually assaulted.
According to police, the attack allegedly took place on the 3000 block of Rhawnn Street in Pennypack Park.
A 55-Year-Old woman claims she grabbed from behind by an unknown male, forced from her bicycle and thrown over a guardrail into the park.
The victim says, once in the wooded area, the male placed his hands over her nose and mouth until she was unconscious. News of the attack caught several people out exercising near the popular park off guard.
"I'm definitely unsettled, I didn't think it would ever happen here," said a jogger. "You head about it in other parts of Fairmount Park, but certainly not here.
The victim, who isn't being identified, says she has no memory of the attack, only that when she awoke she was naked, wearing only her shoes.
"It's a blitzkrieg type of attack. He spontaneously takes her right off the bike," said Captain John Darby of the Philadelphia Police Department. "They go down the embankment, into an area that's kind of remote and the assault takes place."
The victim says all of her belongings, including her blue mountain bike and cell phone were missing.
Philadelphia Police are urging park goers to express caution as the suspect remains at large.
Natasha Brown reports...
"Go with a partner, whether you're biking or walking. Keep a cell phone close at hand and keep aware of your surroundings," warns Darby.
The male is described as a white male approximately 30-35 years of age, 6 feet, medium build, and clean shaven.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Special Victims, or 9-1-1.
Reported by Ben Bowens, CBSPhilly.com
