3 Sex Assaults Leave Main Line Communities Shaken

Residents in two Main Line communities are uneasy after a string of sexual assaults has mired their neighborhoods over the past few months.

The first attack happened back in August as a woman jogged through a quiet area of Ardmore. She was allegedly pulled into the bushes at gunpoint and assaulted near Glenn and St. Georges Roads, according to Lower Merion Police.

Police believe the woman involved in the second attack may have been followed as she walked along Walnut Avenue in Ardmore on Oct. 21.

"When she returned to her residence, she was entering the front door and was pushed from behind and into the living room of her home and was sexually assaulted," said Lower Merion Police Supt. Michael McGrath.

The third attack occurred just down the road at Haverford College last Saturday. An 18-year old student was raped in a building after a party, police said.

"It was actually really upsetting and surprising because you don't hear about stuff like this happening at Haverford so it was shocking," said freshman Rupinder Garcha.

Authorities don't believe the attacks are linked, but all are unsolved and that's doing little to calm the nerves of residents.

"It creates an air of uncertainty, of course, and concern," said Ardmore resident William Holland said.

"I hate to hear that anything like this happen here," resident Elizabeth Keller said.

Supt. McGrath is asking the public to keep their guard up and report any suspicious activity. "Be aware of your surroundings, try to avoid areas that are not well lit," he said.

As always, anyone with information is asked to call police at 610.649.1000.

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