Suspect in string of sex assaults, robberies surrenders to police

Philadelphia police say a Philadelphia man who was wanted in a string of sexual assaults and robberies in West Philadelphia has turned himself in.

On Wednesday night police identified Robert Johnson, 51, as a suspect in three assaults that allegedly occurred between Tuesday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 19.

The first incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday. The victim told investigators an unknown man tapped her on the shoulder at Belmont and Parkside avenues. When the victim turned around, she saw the man was armed with a gun.

The suspect allegedly told the victim that if she moved or screamed he would shoot her. He then reportedly lead the victim into Fairmount Park, where he sexually assaulted her before fleeing with her Beats headphones and iPhone.

The second and third incidents occurred around 4:20 a.m. Wednesday. The victim told investigators that, while filling up her car with gas on the 4800 block of West Girard Avenue, an unknown man approached her and pushed a gun into her side.

MORE: Philadelphia police ID suspect in sexual assaults and gunpoint robberies

The suspect allegedly forced the woman into the vehicle, which had another woman inside, and forced her to drive to an unknown location where both victims were sexually assaulted.

The suspect reportedly told the victims to drive away after stealing approximately $420 from the pair.

Johnson, a Megan's Law Registrant, had been considered armed and dangerous as police searched for him overnight. A search warrant was executed at Johnson's West Philadelphia home late Wednesday night and police say they found items belonging to some of the alleged victims, but did not find Johnson or the gun he was believed to have been using in the incidents.

Johnson has been charged with multiple counts of robbery, aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping, firearms violations and other related charges.

According to police, Johnson was jailed on a prior conviction back in 2005 and was released in March of 2017. Investigators said in a press conference Thursday morning that they are now looking into similar incidents dating back to his release.