Runner groped by teens on Schuylkill River Trail

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A search is underway for a group of teens who assaulted a woman on the Schuylkill River Trail Tuesday.

A woman said she was just ending her run on the boardwalk section of the trail around 5:45 p.m., when a group of teens biked past. She said one of the teens grabbed her and another yelled profanities.

"All of the sudden I felt someone grope me," said the victim, who did not want to be identified. "When I turned, there was a boy looking at me laughing."

She said the teens surrounded her, and while a bunch of people witnessed the attack, no one stopped to help.

"I'm really surprised that something happened and no one would make a phone call," said Anthony Murphy, executive director of Town Watch Integrated Services.

Murphy heads the trail watch that has already trained 80 volunteers to patrol, but admits they need more people to step up.

"More needs to be done to get our citizens and residents to be conscious of their surroundings and be paying more attention," he said. "Get them to be more of a community."

Following a rash of earlier attacks, the trail has seen improved lighting and mile markers. Councilman Kenyatta Johnson said 21 cameras will also soon be installed.

"We will have the eyes that the Philadelphia Police Department can pay attention to who is entering and exiting along the Center City portion of the trail," said Johnson.

The cameras are expected to be installed next month.

----------

Send a breaking news alert
Report a correction or typo
Learn more about the 6abc apps