Man sought for violent attacks on women in Kensington

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a man wanted for beating and sexually assaulting several women in Kensington. One of those women died.

Authorities released surveillance images of the suspect on Thursday. Police believe the man is responsible for at least four attacks on women - one of which was a homicide.

Detectives say the crimes date back to April 19. The most recent happened on July 17 when a woman was murdered along East Cumberland Street, and hours later another woman was sexually assaulted in the same area along Cumberland and Water streets.

Philadelphia Police Capt. Mark Burgmann says, "It matches the basic MO of at least three other jobs - three, possibly four, other jobs - that are in the area where other complainants were sexually assaulted and also physically assaulted."

Capt. Burgmann continued, "The assaults in this are pretty severe. The offender either uses a knife or fist and slashes the victim or beats and chokes them unconscious."

Police say it appears the suspect is targeting white female prostitutes. They also say that in each of these cases the suspect is seen leaving the scene of the crime on what appears to be a mountain bike.

If you have any information on the suspect's identity, you are urged to contact police. To submit a tip by telephone, dial 215.686.TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.