CRIME ALERT: The Philadelphia Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is grateful to the businesses, staff and residents from Washington West and Midtown Village for the tremendous community support of the investigation into the sexual assault that occurred the evening of Nov. 14 in the area of 12th and Saint James streets. As a result of the ongoing investigation, SVU is seeking to widen the perimeter of the investigation to include the area of 12th and Pine, Spruce, Quince and Cypress streets; Saint James Street between 12th and 13th streets; South Juniper Street to 11th Street; and Chestnut to Locust streets on Nov. 14 both before and after the time period in which the crime occurred, from 10:30-11:30 p.m.
SVU continues to seek both information and closed-circuit television footage from businesses and residents. The suspect is described as a well-dressed African-American male, approximately 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-8, with a muscular build, very dark complexion, clean-shaven with shoulder-length braided hair, wearing a blue button-down shirt, khaki pants with a brown belt and a silver chain with a cross on it.
If you are a merchant or resident in the area, please check your surveillance footage and ask your neighbors and customers/staff if they remember anyone fitting that description, or if you have surveillance footage that may have captured someone fitting that description during the hours just before or after the crime was committed.
If you have any information or need additional information, contact Lt. Anthony McFadden at 215-685-3263 or 3264 or via email at [email protected].
The following incidents in the Midtown Village and Washington Square West areas were reported to the 6th Police District between Nov. 11-17. Information is courtesy of 6th District Capt. Brian Korn; Stacy Irving, senior director, Crime Prevention Service; Center City District; the Police Liaison Committee and Midtown Village Merchants Association. To report crime tips, visit www.phillypolice.com or call 215-686-TIPS (8477).
INCIDENTS
— At 2:30 p.m. Nov. 11, a woman returned to her apartment in the unit block of South 11th Street and saw the door forced opened and a former employee of hers walking away with her TV. The suspect was described as a 30-year-old Hispanic male, wearing a red hoodie under a black jacket. Sixth District Officer Thornton lifted fingerprints. — Between 4:30 p.m. Nov. 11 and 7:15 a.m. Nov. 12, someone entered a vacant building that is under reconstruction in the 1000 block of Spruce Street and stole tools and copper pipes. — Between 12:45-1:40 p.m. Nov. 12, someone stole a secured bicycle from outside 1101 Market St. — At 1:45 p.m. Nov. 14, someone stole an iPhone from the counter inside Dunkin’ Donuts, 1311 Market St. The suspect was described as a 19-year-old black male, thin, wearing a tan hoodie, a backpack and a black knit cap. — Around 9 p.m. Nov. 14, someone stole a package from in front of an apartment in the 1000 block of Spruce Street. — At 11:50 a.m. Nov. 15, the owner of a jewelry store at 136 S. 11th St. left a customer to answer the phone — and the customer stole a tray of gold charms and fled. The suspect was described as a 55-year-old black male, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, wearing a dark blue jacket.
NON-SUMMARY ARRESTS
— On Nov. 11, 6th District Officers Wimsey and Rossi investigated a male outside 923 Market St. who was found with a quantity of narcotics pills. The 45-year-old suspect was charged with possession of narcotics. — At 9:40 a.m. Nov. 13, a man was in the subway concourse at 1001 Market St. when a male approached from behind, knocked him down and stole his cell phone. The man tried to take it back but the culprit pulled out a knife and threatened him. The suspect fled to street level, where 6th District Officer Chim arrested him. The 31-year-old homeless suspect was charged with robbery and related offenses. — At 2 p.m. Nov. 13, 6th District Narcotic Enforcement officers investigated a male outside 261 S. 13th St. and found a quantity of marijuana on him. The 30-year-old suspect with a North Philadephia address was charged with possession of marijuana. — At 8:10 p.m. Nov. 14, 6th District Officers Butler and Burrell arrested a male outside 140 S. 13th St. who was wanted on a warrant for probation violations. The 33-year-old suspect with a Spring Garden address was charged with escape. — At 12:10 a.m. Nov. 15, officers assigned to the 6th District Narcotic Enforcement Team observed a male smoking crack cocaine in a glass pipe outside 1334 Walnut St. The suspect was arrested and officers confiscated a quantity of crack cocaine. The 49-year-old man with a homeless-shelter address was charged with possession of illegal narcotics.