Police are investigating the validity of the latest allegation of a sexual assault in Camden.
A woman initially told police that she was sexually assaulted in Camden, Wednesday afternoon. The alleged attack took place in the same area and close to the same time period as three other attacks that police say are linked to a serial rapist.
The woman claimed she was assaulted around 12:30 p.m. at Baird Boulevard and Randolph Street. The woman told police a man came up from behind her with a knife and then took her to a field and assaulted her. The alleged attack happened about a half mile from the area near Camden High School and Farnham Park, where police say a man has assaulted three other women, including two teenagers, since mid-January. On Wednesday the woman told police she was attacked on the other side of the Admiral Wilson Boulevard. The serial rapist attacks happened between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., according to police.
Police went door to door, canvassing the neighborhood after the woman came forward. They also interviewed the alleged victim and went over physical evidence.
After further investigation, police now say they're reevaluating the woman's allegations. The Prosecutor's Office also says they believe the woman's story was made up.
On Wednesday night they released the following statement:
There are serious concerns about the allegations of sexual assault that were reported this afternoon. We cannot provide further information at this time, but the account we received today is being reevaluated. The Prosecutor's office and Camden Police Department will provide further information on Thursday.
A press conference with more details on the latest allegations is expected to take place tomorrow.
The suspect in the three previous attacks is described as a medium-built black male, 20 to 30 years of age and between 5-feet-7 to 5-feet-11-inches tall. He has "distinctively light brown eyes." He is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information on his whereabouts, call the hotline Camden police have set up specifically for these sex assault investigations: 856-757-7042.
Police have also warned women in the city to avoid walking alone when possible and to have a heightened state of awareness.
