Police: Women choked, robbed in two disturbing Queen Village assaults

A disturbing assault pattern is emerging at a rapid rate in the Queen Village section of South Philadelphia, police said.

Two women have been choked and robbed in separate incidents over the past few days, and investigators believe the same man is responsible for both attacks.

The first victim, a 34-year-old woman, was walking on the 600 block of Catharine Street around 7:30 a.m. Sunday when a man on a bicycle approached her from behind, choked her and took her purse containing credit cards and $300 in cash.

About five blocks away at 4th and Christian streets, a man grabbed a 33-year-old woman from behind around 6:30 a.m. yesterday morning. He reportedly choked her so forcefully that she lost consciousness. She awoke on the ground to find that her phone, credit cards and $23 dollars had been stolen.

Police describe the man as a black male in his 20s with a light complexion. Women in the area are advised to be especially vigilant, especially when traveling to work or school in the morning.

Anyone with information should call South Detectives at 215-686-3013