$10,000 reward in Frankford violent rape

FRANKFORD - September 11, 2012 (WPVI) -- A $10,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the man wanted for the violent rape of a woman in Philadelphia's Frankford section late last month.

VIDEO: See the surveillance video

A man seen in surveillance tape released by Philadelphia police Tuesday is wanted for the brutally beating and repeatedly raping a young woman in the Frankford section of the city.

"The 24-year-old victim sustained severe head and facial injuries to the point of almost being unrecognizable," Philadelphia Police Captain John Darby said.

Shortly after midnight on Wednesday August 29th, the suspect was captured on surveillance walking southbound on Frankford toward Church Street.

At the same time, the young woman was walking on Church toward Frankford with her purse over her shoulder.

She had just walked a friend to the bus stop and was going home.

The suspect followed the victim onto 1500 block of Church, came up from behind, and attacked.

"The male immediately begins to pummel her, literally with his fists," Darby said.

He dragged her into an alley, raped her repeatedly, punched and choked her until she was unconscious.

The young woman awoke a few hours later around 3:30 a.m. with her eyes swollen shut.

She stumbled out onto the road and asked a passerby for help.

Police say, until he's caught, the streets of Frankford are unsafe and that has people who live and work here very worried.

"I have three girls of my own and a niece who lives with me. I am always afraid of letting my girls out of the house. Always," Frankford resident Serena Whiten said.

"People don't come out from the house. They stay in. People get scared around here. They got to catch the rapist," shop owner Pretty Patel said.

The victim spent several days in the hospital recovering.

Police say she is so traumatized she is afraid to leave her home.

Police have no reports of any similar attacks in the area by a suspect matching this description.

Based on the victim's description and what can be seen on the video, the suspect is described as a black male, approximately 20-years-of-age, 5'9", thin build, medium-dark complexion, short black hair, wearing a white T-shirt, dark colored pants and dark colored shoes.

The Mayor's Office is now offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the man.

If you see the suspect do not approach him, contact 911 immediately. To submit a tip by phone dial 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847.

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philadelphia, frankford, sex assault, local/state

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