Police and residents were on high alert near Pennypack Park Wednesday after the same man could have perpetrated three attacks, authorities said.
It all happened in or around the park along the 8300 block of Frankford Ave. in the Holmesburg section of Northeast Philadelphia.
The most recent attack happened just before 1 a.m. Tuesday. A naked man grabbed the victim from behind, knocked her to the ground and tried to sexually assault her, police said.
Authorities now believe the same man also attacked two other women -- one in May and the other in July 2009.
"This male poses an obvious threat to the public," said Police Captain John Darby.
Though there is no DNA evidence linking the attacks there are similarities that have caused cops to believe the same attacker carried out all the assaults.
"The victims are all alone," Darby said. "In two of the cases the male is unclothed."
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On May 18 around 5:30 in the morning a 35-year-old woman sleeping on a park bench was sexually assaulted -- she told police the man covered her face with a shirt; zip tied her hands and sexually assaulted her.
Back in July last year a 43-year-old woman told police that a nude man grabbed her, dragged into the park, tied her hands and then sexually assaulted her.
"The fact that in two cases there are zip ties used, the fact that in two cases he's not dressed," are reasons to see a connection, said Darby.
All three victims had similar descriptions of the alleged attacker. He is described as a white male in his late 30s, about 6-foot to 6-foot-2, with a muscular build, a fair complexion and short light brown or blonde hair.
It is believed that the naked attacker could live near the park. And women are being urged to not walk or jog alone in or around Pennypack.
Anyone with information should contact Philly Police’s Special Victim’s Unit at 215-685-3251 or 3252.
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