Philadelphia

Caught on Camera: Suspect in South Philadelphia Sex Assaults, Home Invasions

Philadelphia Police hope surveillance video helps them track down a man wanted in at least two home invasions and sex assaults in South Philadelphia.

During the most recent attack, a 35-year-old resident of the 1800 block of S Rosewood Street, woke up to find a man wearing a ski mask hovering over her. The man then sexually assaulted the woman before making off with her vehicle, said Philadelphia Police.

Video of the Monday's attack, released by police Wednesday, shows the suspect in the victim's hatchback. You see him park in front of a fire hydrant a few blocks from the victims home around 5:30 a.m. Monday. You then see the man – who appears to be in his 20s and stands between 6-feet and 6-feet, 2-inches tall who was wearing black pants, a black long-sleeved zip-up jacket and a hat – get out of the vehicle and appear to quickly look around before reaching back into the vehicle.

The man emerges from the vehicle then crosses the street. He then is seen on another angle heading down the street as a white sport utility vehicle appears to be looking for parking.

The man, who wore red gloves, can then be seen walking away.

In between he broke into a home and attacked a sleeping woman before making off with $10 in cash and her keys, said police.

Before leaving the home, the masked man took the woman's roommate's identification and threatened her if police were contacted.

Someone may have tried to break into the same home where the assault occurred on Wednesday morning, sources with knowledge of the investigation said.

Police have yet to say if that reported attempted burglary is connected to the earlier attack.

On Tuesday, did connect an earlier sex assault on a 35-year-old mother of two inside her South Philly home back in March. During that incident on S Chadwick Street the suspect was also wearing red gloves and choked the woman, police said.

"This individual is dangerous and he may be looking through the neighborhood and has the time to case the area and look for any weaknesses in the neighborhood in regards to security," said Philadelphia Police Captain John Darby.

Overnight, police questioned a person of interest in the home invasions but they released that person without filing any charges.

If you have any information on the suspect's identity, please contact Philadelphia Police. If you spot him, police want you to call 911 immediately.

Contact Us