Series of sexual assaults in Philadelphia under investigation: police

Series of sexual assault incidents in Philly under investigation

The Philadelphia Police Department?s Special Victims Unit is investigating a pattern of sexual assault incidents that occurred between July and August.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is investigating a pattern of sexual assault incidents that occurred between July and August.

What we know:

According to police, there have been five reported sexual assaults reported with a pattern based on modus operandi, offender description, and geographic proximity.

Timeline:

Police say the following incidents were reported:

July 18

Police say a victim was walking her dog on the 1900 block of Spruce Street at 6:40 a.m., when the offender approached and sexually assaulted her.

July 19

At around 3:13 a.m. on the 2000 block of Delancey Street, police say a victim said she was attempting to enter her apartment building when an unknown offender approached and sexually assaulted her.

August 2

At around 8:15 a.m. on the 1600 block of Waverly Street, police say a victim said the offender approached her from behind, reached over her shoulder, and sexually assaulted her.

August 3

On the 400 block of South 15th Street at around 1:00 a.m., police say another victim said that while walking to her car, the offender approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her.

Just hours later at 12:30 p.m. on the 2500 block of Webster Street, police say another victim told them that while unlocking her front door, an unknown male walked up from behind and sexually assaulted her.

Dig deeper:

The offender is described as a Black male, approximately 5'11" to 6'0", with long dreadlocks/twists/braids, sometimes worn in a ponytail.