Philadelphia Police hunt serial sex assault suspect tied to five attacks in Center City, South Philly

Police are urgently searching for a man they believe assaulted at least five women across Philadelphia from mid‑July through early August, triggering widespread concern in the city’s Center City and South Philly neighborhoods.

The incidents—all reported between July 18 and August 3—share similar patterns. In each case, the suspect approached women from behind, only to engage in sexual assault without use of a weapon. Victims were attacked while walking their dogs, returning home late at night, or entering their residences between early morning and daylight hours.

 Law enforcement attributes the incidents to a single individual based on consistent descriptions and geographic concentration around upscale Rittenhouse Square and nearby blocks.

Police have released composite images showing a Black male, estimated to be 25–30 years old, roughly 5′11″ to 6′0″ tall, often wearing long braided hair tied into a ponytail, and sporting a light mustache and goatee. 

Credit: Philadelphia Police Department

 

The Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is leading the investigation and has encouraged anyone with footage or information—in particular residents’ Ring or neighborhood cameras—to come forward. 

SVU Captain Margo Alleyne‑Parker described to reporters that the suspect is “very brazen” and emphasized the urgency to remove him from the streets.

Neighbors and community members voiced alarm following the attacks. Residents interviewed by local TV stations described Rittenhouse Square as typically safe but now uneasy, urging fellow citizens to remain vigilant, travel with companions when possible, and carry personal protection such as pepper spray. 

In several cases, passersby responded to victims' screams and helped escort them to safety.

Incident Overview

• July 18 - At 6:40 a.m. on the 1900 block of Spruce Street, a victim was assaulted while walking her dog. She was called "beautiful" beforehand.
• July 19 - At 3:15 a.m. the victim was approaching their apartment on the 2000 block of Delancey Street when she was assaulted and pushed to the ground.
• August 2 - On the 1600 block of Waverly Street, a woman was attacked from behind during a morning walk at 8:15 a.m.
• August 3 - At 1 a.m. a woman was assaulted while walking to her car on the 400 block of S. 15th St.
• August 3 - A woman was assaulted while unlocking a door near her garage on the 2500 block of Webster St.

Officials warn the attacks appear to be escalating in both frequency and boldness, prompting the department to expand the investigation and conduct a review of earlier unsolved incidents that may be linked by pattern or suspect composite descriptions.

Philadelphia police have increased patrol presence in affected areas and continue efforts to canvass residential cameras for potential leads. Capt. Alleyne-Parker encouraged women and other residents who might not yet have reported an incident to step forward and speak with the SVU team.

The search for the suspect continues, as law enforcement aims to bring an end to this spate of attacks. Anyone with relevant information—or security footage—is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit immediately.