Image courtesy of Philadelphia Police Department
Thanks to a tip and some thorough investigative work, the Upper Moreland Police Department helped make the area a little safer this week.
After multiple sexual assaults occurred in the Center City and Rittenhouse Square areas, the Philadelphia Police Department released information on a suspect and sought the community’s assistance in locating him.
Thanks to a tip received on Wednesday night, Walker was located near a Willow Grove Sam's Club in Upper Moreland Township. Police said that Walker was charging a telephone at the time. According to police, Walker was taken into custody without incident.
"The officers were on patrol and received some information about his whereabouts," said Upper Moreland Police Chief Scott Bendig. "Officers were able to locate the individual."
UMPD was tipped off earlier by an anonymous caller who said that Walker was possibly cited in the area. Officers took the information and moved quickly.
"Just good police work," Chief Bendig said. "Officers knew he was in the area and so we began checking the area. One of the officers was actually able to locate him and take him into custody without incident.
"You know how congested that area is," Chief Bendig added. "Officers just kept at it. Officers kept checking the area. That's a considerable distance, there's a lot of moving parts in that area."
Sexual Assaults
With incidents in both the 9th and 17th districts of the city, police said that pattern of crimes was determined when at least five separate incidents included a shared similar modus operandi, descriptions of the offender, and a geographic location.
July 18, around 6:40 a.m.
A woman walking her dog in the 1900 block of Spruce Street said she was approached by an offender that said, “good morning beautiful” to her prior to sexually assaulting her, according to police. Police said that, when the complainant screamed, the man fled heading east on Manning Street.
The description of a black male, in his 30s, with dark hair, around 5’8” wearing a black shirt and black pants was provided to police.
July 19, around 3:13 a.m.
A woman in the 2000 block of Delancy Place told police she was approached by an offender, whom she told to “leave her alone” and shoved the man. Police said that the offender then sexually assaulted her and pushed her to the ground. When she screamed, the man fled, police said. She did suffer cuts to her elbows and right knee, according to authorities.
The description of a black male, between ages 25 and 35, of a height of around 5’10”, with twists in his hair, wearing a blue shirt, was provided to police.
Aug. 2, around 8:15 a.m.
Police reported that a woman in the 1600 block of Waverly Street was approached from behind by an offender who then sexually assaulted her. The suspect then left the area.
The man was described as being a black male, in his late 20-years-of-age, 6’0”, with a thin build, and long thin braids down to his chest, police said. The description in this incident also noted he was wearing all black clothing and possibly had some facial hair, said police.
Aug. 3, around 1:06 a.m.
A woman in the 400 block of South 15th Street was walking to her vehicle when an offender “grabbed her from behind,” police said. During a struggle between the two, the woman was sexually assaulted, police said. According to police, the woman was able to “break free from the offender,” and he ran on foot west on Naudain Street from 15th.
The man was described as being a black male, with a dark complexion, a thin build, 5’11” to 6’2”, with long dreadlocks, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and grey sweatpants, police said.
Aug. 3, around 12:30 p.m.
A woman in the 2500 block of Webster Street said a man “grabbed her from behind” and sexually assaulted her, police said. When the woman screamed, the man ran on foot toward Christian Street, said reports.
The man was described as being a black male in his 30s, 6’0”, with a slim/athletic build, wearing a white tank top.
