Philadelphia

Knife-Wielding Man Tries to Assault Victim at Off-Campus Apartment Complex Near Penn, Police Say

The assault occurred outside Hamilton Court along the 3800 block of Chestnut Street around 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, Philadelphia police said

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UPDATE: An arrest has been made in the incident. New details HERE.

Philadelphia Police are searching for a knife-wielding man who they say tried to sexually assault a victim outside an apartment complex near the University of Pennsylvania in University City. 

The incident occurred outside Hamilton Court along the 3800 block of Chestnut Street around 1:50 a.m. on Tuesday, police said. The victim was taking out the trash when a man armed with a knife approached her, police sources said.

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Police sources on Wednesday said that what occurred appeared to be an attempted sex assault since the man never actually touched the victim as the victim got away without being physically harmed.

The man was last seen running eastbound on the 3700 block of Chestnut Street. 

Surveillance photo of the assault suspect.

Penn students received an alert about what was initially called an attempted sex assault.

Police released surveillance video and photos of the suspected attacker. He’s described as a man with short dark hair standing around 6-feet tall who appeared to be 20 to 30 years old. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded polo shirt, blue denim pants with stitching along the inseam and peach-colored sneakers.

Police said he was armed with a knife that was recovered at the scene. 

The suspected attacker is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit at 215-686-3263/64 or 215-686-TIPS (8477). You can also email tips@phillypolice.com or call 911. 

Philadelphia Police are searching for a man who they say tried to sexually assault a victim at an off-campus apartment complex near the University of Pennsylvania.
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