Cops have named a suspect in recent violent attacks on women in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Willie Wyche, 39, could be responsible for at least a half dozen attacks, Philadelphia Police said Tuesday.
Seven women were robbed in similar incidents from June 25 through July 16. The victims ranged in age from 25 to 73 years old.
Police tried to serve a warrant for Wyche's arrest on Tuesday but were unable to track him down, they said.
Wyche has a long rap sheet including robberies, assaults and an attempted rape, according to court records.
The career criminal was just released from in May after spending about 21 years in prison, authorities said.
In each of the most recent incidents, the alleged attacker approached the victim from behind, grabbed her around the neck, knocked her to the ground and stole her valuables, cops said.
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Here is a full list of the crimes:
- June 25, 9:35pm, 300 block S. 4th Street, 52-year-old female victim
- June 28, 300 block of Cypress Street, no info on victim
- June 30, 5:00pm, 300 block of S. American Street, 73-year-old female victim
- July 5, 7:50am, 400 block of S. Locust Street, 62-year-old female victim
- July 6, 11:00pm, 1200 block of Lombard Street, 25-year-old female victim
- July 10, 6:50am, 700 block of Lombard Street, 29-year-old female victim
- July 16, 7:30pm, 200 block of S. Hutchinson Street, 60-year-old female victim
Wyche frequents the area around S Broad and Catherine Streets in Philly.
Video of him allegedly leaving the scene of one of the robberies was released Monday.
The victim of the American Street attack told NBC Philadelphia's Katy Zachry of her scary experience.
“The last thing I remembered was his hand around my throat,” said the victim who was attacked just doors down from her home. “…He was very strong, you can’t do anything.”
She tried to fight back causing the attacker to step back for a minute but he kept up the attack.
“None of it works and I just passed out because he squeezes until you go unconscious.”
The assailant made off with the woman's backpack, she said.
Police are urging women to stay on busy streets. They’re also urging residents to contact police, call the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093 or dial 9-1-1 if they witness any suspicious activity or know of Wyche's whereabouts.
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