Philly sees spike in reported sex crimes: Police

Philadelphia saw a spike in reportedsex crimes this past weekend through Tuesday, andPhilly police cautioned people – especially women – to be mindful of their surroundings when walking at all times, day and night.

There were seven instances of sexual assault or attempted assault, including two rapes, since Friday night, according to police. In one instance, a man attempted to abduct a 13-year-old girl, police said. In another instance, a man allegedly exposed his genitals. It was unclear Tuesday whether the assaults were related, but police were asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects.

“As the weather gets warmer, there are more people out. We urge you – when you listen to music with earbuds when you walk, you can’t hear what’s going on,” said Philly police officer Tanya Little. “You cant even hear a car horn if you’re not paying attention and your walking against traffic. That’s just an example. Always be mindful.”

According to a Special Victims Unit informational bulletin put out Tuesday, shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Friday, a 13-year old female told police that while she was at the corner of Anderson and Woodlawn streets in Germantown, an unknown black male approached her and told her to come with him. The male then reportedly fled once an adult witness yelled at him and told him to leave the female alone.

Later that night, just before 10:30 p.m., a 24-year old female was walking along the 3100 block of Clearfield Street, when she told police an unknown, black male approached her and began to engage her in conversation. He then reportedly took out a knife, forced her onto a nearby step and raped her.

The assailant is described as 27 or 28 years old, 5 ft. 9 in. to 6 ft. tall, having a dark complexion, a mustache and a goatee and short black hair, wearing jeans and a navy blue hoodie and carrying a Track phone.

Then on Saturday night, just after 10 p.m., police reported that a 31-year old female was waiting for the bus at 8300 Frankford Avenue in the city’s Holmesburg section when an unknown black male asked her for the time. He then reportedly grabbed her and attempted to drag her into Pennypack Park.

She broke free from his grasp once, police said, but the assailant picked her up again and tried to take her into the wooden area. She continued fighting until he dropped her and then fled into the park, according to police reports.

The offender in that case is described as being between 18 and 24 years old, 5 ft. 4 in., having a smaller build, short hair, wearing a dark blue shirt, blue jeans and dirty sneakers.

Sex-related crimes reportedly carried over into Monday and Tuesday.

A 22-year old female told police that at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, an unknown black male picked her up in his white, four-door vehicle along the 3600 block of K Street and forced her to engage in sex acts in the back seat at point of box cutter.

He’s described as a having a medium build, a beard and wearing a grey hoodie with an eagle on it.

On Monday at 8:25 a.m., a 38-year old female reported that while walking along the 900 block of South Broad Street, an unknown black male approached her from behind and grabbed her between her legs.

At 2:30 p.m. Monday, a 19-year old woman told police that while riding on the Broad Street subway line, an unknown black male grabbed her buttocks. After they exited and when she confronted him, he reportedly shoved her in the face and then ran towards Suburban Station.

Then at 11:41 p.m. Monday, a 23-year old female stated that while walking along the 2400 block of Coral Street in the city’s Kensington section, she observed an unknown white male exposing himself.

Anyone with information about these incidents can contact police at 215-685-3180.