PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are investigating an alleged assault which happened in the middle of the day outside a South Philadelphia bar.
It was around 4:15 p.m. Monday, near American Sardine Bar at 18th and Federal streets, when officials said a 63-year-old woman was inappropriately touched from behind.
Mary Martin told NBC10 she stepped in when she witnessed a man gyrating against the woman.
"He tried to walk past me and a couple other people, and I just kept yelling at him," she said. "I was hitting him with my bike helmet because I didn't want him to leave the scene.
Martin said she also took photos of the suspect and gave them to investigators after walking the woman to the Special Victims Unit.
Melissa Repko, who lives across the street, told NBC10 she found the suspect's behavior alarming.
"I think a lot of people are also concerned if an individual is doing this in broad daylight, in front of a business that is active and open, that's not normal," she said.
"That's not somebody who is coming out to be a predator at night. That is someone who is also suffering."
Police said there were no injuries reported and they have not identified the suspect yet. The victim was reportedly visiting her son in the city.
