Philadelphia authorities are on the hunt for a suspect after a crime in the Mayfair neighborhood. According to the Philadelphia Police Department, a juvenile was sexually assaulted during a home burglary in the early hours of September 18. The incident occurred on the 3XXX block of Cottman Ave around 2:30 a.m. Police have highlighted the male suspect as a person of interest in the case and have released a description and surveillance footage in an effort to apprehend the individual responsible.
The police described the suspect as an unknown black male, estimated to be 20 to early 30 years of age with a medium complexion, medium height, a thin build, short hair, and a full beard. Notably, he was wearing a surgical mask, black jacket, possibly denim, a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, and dark pants. A distinctive large tattoo is visible on the right side of his neck, with a "1" marked above it and behind his right ear. This individual was reportedly checking residential doors in the vicinity of the burglary and assault, as captured on video surveillance. The Philadelphia Police have urged the public to keep away from the suspect if spotted.
The community's safety is imperative and the Special Victims Unit is actively asking for assistance to identify this person of interest. "If you see this suspect do not approach, contact 911 immediately," the department warned in a recent bulletin. In addition, those with any information that could lead to tracking down the suspect can submit tips anonymously through the department's electronic form or by texting 215.686.TIPS (8477).
Victim's safety and operational integrity are vital considerations in ongoing investigations. The Special Victims Unit, which is handling the case, is available at 215-685-3251/3252 for any leads that could be significant. The police similarly encourage, the use of their tip line for confidential reports, dialing 215.686.TIPS (8477). For more information and the opportunity to view surveillance footage of the suspect, members of the public can visit the official Philadelphia Police Department website.
