DNA Tests Underway in Center City Attacks

  

CENTER CITY - November 27, 2006 (WPVI) -- The search goes on Tuesday night for the Center City attacker. Police have released a sketch of the man they are trying to track down. And now, they hope they have scientific evidence they hope will put a name to this face.

Action News has learned that police have forensic evidence from at least one crime scene that they've now submitted for DNA testing. Investigators seemed optimistic Tuesday that they would catch the attacker quickly, but as you know DNA testing in some cases can take a long time.

The five attacks occurred over an eight day period. The most recent happened Sunday at 18th and Pine Streets.

Like the others it happened in the early morning hours, specifically at 3am. And late Monday, police released a composite sketch of the attacker, although police have officially linked only three of the attacks to the man.

This, police say, is the face of a serial attacker.

His latest victim did not want her face on camera, but told Action News the vulgar details of her attack.

It happened early Sunday morning at 18th and Pine as she was coming home from a night out. "I was getting ready to put my key in the door and he put a gun to my side... 'If you make a noise I'll put a bullet in your head.'"

The attacker snatched her ATM and cash, and forced her into an alleyway around the corner from her home where he started groping and kissing her.

"Then he made me take off my boots and he started sucking my toes."

The victim says that's when her cell phone rang and the attacker let her go, but he warned her if she told anyone he would put a bullet through her head. And police are taking his threat seriously.

Investigators say the armed suspect robbed and assaulted 4 other women in the last two weeks. The first assault was near Franklin Field on South Street, a second woman was attacked at 17th and Folsom, and two more victims reported assaults on Thanksgiving at 24th and Walnut and 25th and Spruce.

Police are warning women not to walk alone, a message also heard on the corner of 22nd and Walnut where activists handed out copies of the suspect's sketch.

The suspect is described as a middle-aged black male, with deep-set eyes and a light to medium complexion. He's about 5'8" to 5'10" tall. He was wearing a dark jacket and had a black handgun.

Police report most of the attacks occurred in the early morning and officers are warning women all over the city to be careful.

(Copyright 2006 by 6abc and Action News. All rights reserved.)

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