PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police are seeking tips and surveillance videos after what they called two gunpoint “stranger rapes” in the Kingsessing section of the city over the weekend.
One happened early in the morning, while the other happened in the evening, according to police.
Investigators said the first assault happened on Saturday at 3 a.m. on the 1600 block of S. 55th Street.
Authorities said a woman reported she was sitting inside her car at a traffic light at 55th and Kingsessing Avenue when a man approached her with a black gun. He pointed the gun at her and demanded money, according to police.
Police said the woman gave the man $20 and he ordered her to unlock the car doors. The suspect then got into her vehicle and directed her to 49th and Bernard Streets, where he sexually assaulted her, police said.
The man drove her to an ATM and ordered her to withdraw money after the assault, according to police. After receiving more money, the man exited her car and left the area.
“It has to be soul crushing, your whole sense of being has just been destroyed, your sense of safety has just been destroyed,” Capt. Margo Alleyne-Parker said.
The second rape happened nearly two miles away on the 1100 block of S. Paxon Street at 5 p.m. Sunday, police said.
Authorities said in this instance, a woman was walking in the area of 5100 block Springfield Avenue. When she approached S. Paxon Street, the same gunman allegedly came up behind her, pointed a silver handgun at her, and demanded money.
Police said the woman gave the man $25 and prescription medicine. The man then allegedly forced her into a nearby alleyway in the rear of Paxon Street, where he sexually assaulted the woman. Police said he fled the scene in an unknown direction.
“It’s really disgusting. It’s depressing and then you think about some elderly people that live in this neighborhood,” a neighbor said.
According to police, the man was in his 20s and had a thin build. In Sunday’s attack, he wore dark pants, a blue hoody, a blue surgical mask, and a red Phillies hat with a white “P.”
The Special Victims Unit is investigating the incident.
Alleyne-Parker said police need Ring camera video and tips from the public to assist in the investigation.
“Our SVU detectives are still scouring through surveillance footage that they’ve recovered to see if we can identify this male, but we are also asking for the public’s help,” Alleyne-Parker said. “To search through any Ring camera footage they may have if they notice anyone fitting the description.”
Alleyne-Parker grew up near the scenes and was stunned to hear the facts of the case.
“After reading everything it was just utter shock,” Alleyne-Parker said. “Especially 5 o’clock in the afternoon in broad daylight on a public street is just a heinous act. I was very, very shocked, and wanted to make sure this was put out as soon as possible.”
Anyone is encouraged to contact the SVU at 215-685-3264 or call 911.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center: 1-877-739-3895
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