Police search for suspect in sex assault incidents at Center City SEPTA stations

The suspect was seen wearing a NASA hooded sweatshirt.

6abc Digital Staff Image
Monday, August 8, 2022
Search for Center City sex assault suspect seen in NASA sweatshirt
A 20-year-old female victim told police the assault happened after she had exited an eastbound trolley.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are asking for the public's help in finding a suspect wanted for multiple sex assaults at Center City SEPTA stations.

The most recent incident happened around noon Sunday at the 15th Street Station on Market Street in Center City.

A 20-year-old female victim told police the assault happened after she had exited an eastbound trolley.

She said she was walking up the steps to leave the station when an unknown male sexually assaulted her.

The suspect was last seen walking east on Market Street from 19th Street.

Police are investigating a similar assault that occurred at 1401 JFK West Plaza on Wednesday, Aug. 3. Police say a man followed a 17-year-old female to a trolley stop and sexually assaulted her.

In both cases, police say the suspect was wearing the same NASA hooded sweatshirt.

Police released surveillance images of the suspect who is described as a Black male, in his 40 years, 5'11, with a thin build, dark complexion, beard and black and gray hair.

Coincidentally, a man seen on surveillance video wearing a NASA sweatshirt was arrested for a rape at a SEPTA station in July.

Twenty-year-old Namir Thomas was charged for that incident in South Philadelphia, and police confirmed on Monday that Thomas is still in custody.

Anyone with information on the wanted suspect is asked to contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251/52.

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