A 19-year-old woman was attacked early Wednesday in South Philadelphia and shoved to the ground before she was able to escape by macing her attacker, police said Thursday.
Officers in the neighborhood around the 1300 block of Wharton Street are going door-to-door Thursday asking for residents' help in finding the attacker, according to third district police.
The assault occurred about 1:30 a.m. as the victim walked on Wharton Street, police said. The attacker came up from behind the woman and shoved her to the ground. He then pulled her dress down, police said. During the struggle, the victim escaped by using mace.
The attacker is described as a black male, about 37 years old, five feet seven inches tall, and 225 pounds, who wore a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants. He fled north on the 1200 block of South Clarion Street.
Anyone with information is asked to call the special victims unit at (215) 686-3251.
