PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities are searching for a suspected rapist who they say attacked a woman on a SEPTA subway platform in South Philadelphia early Monday morning.
At around 4:30 a.m., before the trains stared running, police say, a 40-year-old woman was with her boyfriend on the subway platform at the Snyder Avenue stop on Broad Street Line.
"We know she was trying on some clothes. We know they’re down there, you don’t see anyone around her, and then our offender arrives at the scene," said Capt. James Kearney, with the Philadelphia Police Department Special Victims Unit.
Kearney says the armed man held up a gun up to the boyfriend, as he raped the woman.
"He was right there. He was made to watch," Kearney said.
Afterward, the gunman fled the scene. When all this happened, no one else was close by, sources say.
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Kearney said the suspect is described as being in his 20s, about 5-foot-6, and wearing a gray NASA hoodie, face mask and white sneakers. He had a bike.
Police urge the public to look at the suspect's photo below and call or text a tip to 215-686-8477, or submit a tip anonymously online.
"She described the gun as black, Glock-style gun -- not necessarily a Glock but 'Glock-style gun' -- with an extended magazine, which was green in color," Kearney said.Anyone who spots the suspect is asked to call 911.
Kearney says the traumatic event left behind DNA, which forensics teams are now working on identifying.
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"This guy needs to be put away," Kearney said.
The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who spots the suspect is asked to call 911.
"We want people to use caution," he said. "You have to be aware of your surroundings. These things happen at any time, any moment.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story referring to initial reports indicated that the woman and her boyfriend were having consensual sex when they were approached by the gunman, and that the boyfriend fled.
For more as this story develops, stay with KYW Newsradio.
