Man on bicycle sought in multiple Philadelphia sex assaults
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are searching for a man on a bicycle who may be connected to multiple sexual assaults in Center City.
"During these assaults, the victims are wearing dresses. The offender comes up behind them, reaches up under their dress, and sexually assaults all of them," Captain Mark Burgmann of the Special Victims Unit said.
The first incident occurred at 1 a .m. on Saturday, August 6 on the 1800 block of South 15th Street.
Police say a 24-year-old woman was walking along the street when a man approached her from behind while riding a bicycle. As he passed beside her, police say he reached out touching her inappropriately. When the woman yelled out, the suspect continued riding down the sidewalk in an unknown direction.
The second incident occurred at 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10 on the 900 block of Lombard Street.
Police say a 42-year-old woman was walking when a man on a mountain bike approached from behind and touched her. He was last seen west on Lombard toward 10th Street.
He was described as a Latino male, medium brown complexion, 5'4 to 5'6, no facial hair, wearing a turquoise polo shirt, and a black backpack with orange sides.
The third incident took place at 12:10 a.m. on Saturday, August 13.
Police say a 27-year-old woman was walking in the 700 block of South 8th Street when a male on a bicycle rode up on her left side and touched her.
He was described as a Latino male, young in appearance, short black hair, and was wearing a multi-colored shirt.
The latest incident took place two hours later on the 2000 block of South 13th Street as a 39-year-old woman began walking to her home. This time, police say a man touched her inappropriately and then fled on foot south on 13th Street.
Captain Burgmann says the victims shaken by swift nature of the crimes.
"They were all very upset and in shock, stunned it happen so fast," Burgmann said.
Anyone with information should contact Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3264/65.
