Search Is on for Center City Rape Suspect

Man allegedly chokes, rapes & robs woman on residential street

Philadelphia Police released a sketch Wednesday of a suspect who they say raped and choked a woman in Center City last week.

The alleged assault happened Dec. 7 around 1:30 a.m. Police say a 32-year-old woman was walking on the 100 block of N Mole Street (about a block from Love Park) when the suspect approached her from behind.

The man forced her to walk to a nearby courtyard at gunpoint and then sexually assaulted her before stealing some items and fleeing, police said.

"He actually chokes this woman and sexually assaults her there before he flees the location," said Philadelphia Police SVU Capt. John Darby.

Police describe the suspect as a 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 clean-shaven medium brown complexioned black man between the 30 and 35 years old. He weighs between 150 and 180 pounds with an athletic build, according to investigators.

Police say he was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweat shirt or jacket, white shirt, dark-colored denim jeans and two medium-size hoop earrings in each ear. Police also say he was carrying a black semi-automatic handgun during the assault.

If you have any information on the suspect’s identity, please contact Philadelphia Police.


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