Police: Suspect arrested in string of robberies, sexual assault

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Philadelphia police say they have arrested a suspect in connection with a series of robberies and a sexual assault this week. Only FOX 29 was there Tuesday, as an 18-year-old was hauled into the Special Victims Unit. Sources telling us he had a taser on him when he was busted.

On the streets of Germantown and East Mt. Airy there was deep concern Tuesday night after police say a man robbed three people at gunpoint over a six day period and in one holdup sexually assaulted his victim.

"It's scary. I'm scared."

Brooke Garrett owns a salon on the 6300 block of Chew Avenue. She's worried because police say it was here a gunman robbed a teenager then forced him into a nearby garage and made him take his clothes off. The victim fought off the suspect and escaped.

Investigators gathered at the Special Victims Unit Tuesday night. They say the suspect, who wears a distinctive jacket, held up another man at gunpoint in the 400 block of East Washington Lane. He stole the victim's cellphone and $3, then fled down Musgrave Street, according to police.

Residents on East Pleasant Street in East Mt. Airy were too afraid to appear on camera after they heard police say the same suspect robbed a teenager here, then forced him into an alleyway and sexually assaulted him.

Investigators at SVU and Northwest Detectives are also trying to determine if the suspect may have pulled off at least two more robberies in the very same area.