Police seek knife-wielding biker in series of Pennypack Trail attacks in Philly

Philadelphia police are on the lookout for a man who they say attacked two men with a large machete or knife and threatened a woman along the Pennypack Trail in Northeast Philadelphia.

The suspect is described as a thin Hispanic man between the ages of 50 and 60 weighing 180 pounds and standing 5-foot-10. He was riding a black or dark-colored bicycle in each attack, according to investigators.

Officials said the first incident happened on Nov. 22 at about 8:15 a.m., along Pennypack Trail in the area of the 2800 block of Holme Avenue.

At that time, police said a man running along the trail was approaching another man who was riding a bike. As the runner announced he was approaching from the rear, the man on the bike "became enraged" and produced a large knife that officials described as a machete, and slashed the victim several times.

The victim was taken to the hospital after suffering wounds to his hands and arms.

In this incident, officials said the attacker was a man in his 40s, with a thin build, weighing about 180 pounds and standing about 5-foot-10. He was wearing dark clothing and riding a dark colored BMX-style bike at the time, officials said.

Two days later, at about 9 a.m. on Nov. 24, officials said a second attack was reported to police. A man and a witness were walking on the Pennypack Trail, in the area of 2800 Winchester Avenue when they were approached by a man riding a black bicycle.

Officials said the man on the bike attacked the victim with a "large knife," causing lacerations to his arms and hands that needed to be treated at the hospital.

The attacker then fled on the bike, police said. Officials described the suspect as a man in his 50s or 60s with a thin build, who wore a black hoodie and rode a black bike at the time of the attack.

On Wednesday, a woman told officials that she was walking the Pennypack Trail at about 8:30 a.m. back on Nov. 25, when an unknown man on a black bicycle approached her and "became agitated and started yelling at her."

He attempted to retrieve an unknown object that was tied to his bicycle during this incident and the woman fled before she was injured.

The suspect in that incident was described as an older man with a thin build who was riding a black bicycle.

Officials believe the same man may be responsible for all of these incidents. They also believe he may be suffering from mental health issues.

Anyone with information on the suspect should contact the Philadelphia Police Department's Northeast Detectives Division at 215-686-3153 or 215-686-3154.

If you believe you see the man, do not approach him. Instead, call 911 or Philadelphia Police immediately.