One day after cops named Willie Wyche as a possible suspect in recent violent attacks on women in the Society Hill neighborhood, Wyche turned himself in.
Police used decoys, including undercover cops and even a little girl, in an attempt to nab Wyche.
Wyche surrendered to authorities around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.
The 39-year-old is a suspect in a July 10 attack -- one of six incidents that police say fit the same pattern of robberies in the neighborhood.
Video of Wyche allegedly leaving the scene of that robbery was released Monday. Wyche saw himself on the video and that prompted his surrender, cops said.
Wyche has a criminal history including robberies, assaults and an attempted rape, according to court records. He was released in May after spending more than 20 years in prison, authorities said.
In all, seven women were robbed in similar incidents from June 25 through July 16. The victims ranged in age from 25 to 73 years old.
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In each of the 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.
Here is a full list of the crimes around Society Hill:
- 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
The victim of the American Street attack told NBC Philadelphia's Katy Zachry of her terrifying 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.
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