PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are asking for the public's help as they search for a man they believe is involved in a string of armed sexual assaults across North Philadelphia.
Police say on separate occasions in the Kensington Avenue district, the suspect picked up the victims and assaulted them in his car. He forced at least one into his vehicle.
The first victim, a 35-year-old woman, was walking near Whitaker and Erie avenues on March 15 at 5 a.m. when she was approached by a car.
"She got in the car. Once inside the car, the male pulled out a gun and demanded oral sex. This female was then let out of the car and notified police," said Capt. James Kearney with the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit
A few weeks later, on April 5 at 5:15 a.m., a 28-year-old woman was leaving a convenience store at Kensington Avenue and Tioga Street when a man in a dark gray car forced her into the sedan. He drove about a mile away and sexually assaulted her before letting her go.
Then around 1 a.m. on April 21, a 29-year-old woman accepted a ride from the suspect near Kensington Avenue and Huntingdon Street.
"The man demanded oral sex, pulled a hand gun, but he also proceeded to rape her," Kearney said.
"This case is important to us also because we developed DNA. Our survivor came into the Special Victims Unit, completed a rape kit, and we were able to obtain DNA."
The car is a charcoal-gray Dodge Charger with tinted windows and distinct rims.
The suspect has been described as a heavyset man in his 20s.
Kearney said this man seems to be going after women who are in vulnerable situations, at their lowest points.
"He’s preying on these women who, we believe, he feels are not going to report it," said Kearney.
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"It does get you upset that someone out there thinks that they can prey on the weak and get away with it. I've got some of the best detectives in the country, the investigators, officers, and detectives. We're going to find this guy with a little bit of help."
Kearney said investigators believe other assaults have occurred, and they are asking for victims and the public to come forward.
Anyone with any information is asked to call 911 or the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251. You can submit a tip by calling or texting 215-686-8477, or you can submit one anonymously online.