A man caught on camera is wanted in connection to at least three sex assaults -- including two near Rittenhouse Square -- in Philadelphia over less than two hours earlier this month.
Philadelphia police released video Friday morning of the man -- believed to be in his 30s -- seen around the time of 6:20 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, along South 21st Street near Spruce Street in Center City and at another time earlier in the day near the Art Museum area.
Later on Friday, Philadelphia Police SVU Capt. James Kearney clarified details about the assaults and gave specific times for each incident from Oct. 17.
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The first assault happened around 5 p.m. along the 2200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, Kearney said. A woman told investigators a man followed her and then smacked her buttocks.
The second incident was the one along South 21st Street around 6:20 p.m., police said.
The third attack took place a few blocks away along South 20th Street, near Lombard Street, around 6:30 p.m., Kearney said. In that assault, the woman reported that a man ran up behind her, pushed her and then grabbed her buttocks.
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The incidents were reported in the next two days after the assaults, police said.
Investigators believe the gropings is around 5-feet, 9-inches tall and thin. He has a thick beard and "alternates between prescription glasses and dark aviator-style sunglasses," police said.
Police said that he wore a black knit hat, tan khakis and either a black jacket or black T-shirt during the assaults. His footwear appeared to be "black canvas tennis-style Nike sneakers with white bottoms and white 'swoosh,'" police said.
Kearney said investigators fear that there could be more assaults like these that just haven’t been reported yet.
Part of the video released by Police Friday shows the suspect walking toward a red Ford Focus hatchback parked near Kelly Drive.
"He frequents the Rittenhouse Square section of Center City Philadelphia as well as the Kelly Drive section of Fairmount Park," police said.
"If you see this suspect do not approach, contact 911 immediately," police said.
Anyone with information can also reach out to the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251/3252, submit a tip online or call/text 215-686-8477.
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