It was 3:00 a.m. Thursday near South 65th Street and Dicks Avenue when the 22-year-old victim was waiting for the Route 108 bus to go to work.
That's when police say a man approached from behind, put something to her head, dragged her into the alley and raped her.
The suspect then ran off with her wallet.
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"It shocked me because we didn't hear anything, we didn't hear anything - no screaming," said Adriane Brown, neighbor.
The attack happened right behind Brown's home.
She and other neighbors usually feel safe in this area of Southwest Philadelphia but not anymore.
"It's really bad, really bad because I am a female, I come from a female - you wouldn't want that to happen to your sister, your mother, daughter - you don't want that and he needs to be caught," said Rita Randolph, neighbor.
"It's really quiet around here. If you are not on Woodland or Elmwood, it's really quiet," said Brown.
"It's scary, it's frightening, it's terrifying - makes me want to get some pepper spray or something to carry with me," said Eugenia Drake, neighbor.
Drake takes the Route 108 bus daily. She's hopeful police will catch the suspect quickly and prays for the victim.
"My prayers are with her, my prayers are with her. In Jesus' name, God be with her and heal her heart because it's going to be hard for her," said Drake.
Police have a vague description of the suspect and a composite sketch has not been released. Investigators are also looking for surveillance video to help them in this case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Philadelphia Police by calling 911, or 215-686-TIPS (8477), texting a tip to PPD TIP (7738847) or online at www.phillypolice.com. All tips will be confidential.