"So happy that we can begin to put an end to it all," said the scarred victim of a violent slashing in South Philadelphia two months ago.
A relative tipped off police about the man accused of slashing and robbing a woman as she walked home in South Philadelphia Nov. 11, according to Philadelphia Police detectives.
Police arrested Cory Harley, 30, of South Street Monday for approaching Ashley Hackett outside of her home on the 700 block of S 9th Street and allegedly slashing her face with a sharp, surgical knife before stealing her purse and fleeing the scene.
Hackett, 23, was left bleeding on the ground, screaming for help. She needed more than 100 stitches to close the wound she received during attack and had a visible scar across her lower face as she spoke to reporters Tuesday..
Police say that Harley confessed the crime to a family member and that the family member called in a tip to authorities on Saturday. A short time after police went to his home, the suspect turned himself in.
He also led them to the knife that was used in the attack, which was hidden in a sewer on S 5th Street. Police also recovered the distinctive hoodie Harley allegedly wore during the morning attack.
"It's mind-boggling to think that a person is actually capable of something like this," Hackett said. "I don't know who gives you the right to play God in that sense and decide that that's OK... Karma's for real and it's coming around real fast."
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A $15,000 reward was offered in the case. Police are evaluating the situation to see if that reward will be given to the tipster, who police say never even asked about the money.
"We are elated that this vicious predator is off the streets," Captain Larry Nodiff said.
Harley faces seven counts including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, robbery, theft and related charges. He was arraigned early Tuesday and held on $500,000 bail, according to court records.
"Relief that he's not on the street, everyone's safe, not just me, and that's what counts," Hackett said.
