Suspect arrested for multiple sexual assaults in Center City and South Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The man suspected in a string of sexual assaults in Center City and South Philadelphia has been arrested, police say.
The suspect was earlier identified as 37-year-old Dynel Walker.
Walker was arrested outside the Sam's Club along Welsh Road in Upper Moreland Twp. Police say he was charging his phone at the time he was apprehended.
Police say an anonymous tipster helped them identify Walker as the suspect.
Five sex assaults were originally reported, but during a news conference on Wednesday afternoon police said they have since learned of a sixth assault, which happened just before 2 a.m. Sunday at 17th and Lombard.
Police say a woman was walking home from a bar when she was approached from behind. A man said 'let me touch you,' according to police, then groped her and pushed her up against a vehicle. She was able to free herself from his grasp and get away.
The sexual assaults have occurred at various times, from the overnight hours to early morning and afternoon.
According to Philadelphia police, the first sexual assault was reported on July 18 at 6:40 a.m. in the 1900 block of Spruce Street in Center City. Police say the suspect said "good morning, beautiful" to the victim, who was walking her dog at the time, before he sexually assaulted her.
The second incident also happened in Center City just after 3 a.m. the following day, on July 19, on the 2000 block of Delancey Street. Police say that as a woman was attempting to get into her apartment building, the man approached her and sexually assaulted her.
"She stated she shoved the offender and she pushed him back, causing her to fall to the ground," said Captain Margo Alleyne-Parker, the commanding officer of the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit on Monday.
Police say the last three incidents happened this past weekend.
One was reported around 8:15 a.m. Saturday on the 1600 block of Waverly Street, where police say a woman was sexually assaulted by the same suspect.
Then, around 1 a.m. Sunday on the 400 block of S. 15th Street, police say he attacked a woman as she was leaving a bar in Center City.
"She was walking to her vehicle, which was parked on South Street between 15th and 16th, where she was sexually assaulted from behind," said Captain Alleyne-Parker.
The final assault was reported around 12:30 p.m. Sunday on the 2500 block of Webster Street in South Philadelphia.
Alleyne-Parker said in each case, "He came up behind them and groped them in all the incidents. In some instances, things may have gone a little further."
Police said they are also looking to see if he could be responsible for any other recent incidents.
Walker has a long rap sheet, with 21 prior arrests, but none for sexual assault.
Meanwhile, police believe he could be responsible for even more assaults and they are asking victims to come forward.
