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Police Search For Man Wanted In Attempted Rape In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police say they need the public's help identifying a man wanted for an attempted rape in the city.

Captain Mark Burgmann says a 19-year-old woman had just left a friend's house near South 13th and Wharton Streets.

It was around 1:30 a.m. and she noticed someone following her.

1300 Wharton pic 1
(credit: Philadelphia Police)

Police say the male was able to pull up the top of the victim's dress, exposing her breast.

"As a precaution, she took out some pepper spray, it was at that time that the offender came running up, knocked her to the ground, and attempted and did indeed pull her top of her dress down, she was able to fight back, she pepper sprayed him, the offender then fled."

Police say the suspect then fled northbound on the 1200 block of South Clarion Street.

1300 Wharton pic 2
(credit: Philadelphia Police)

Burgmann says the victim struggled valiantly against her attacker.

Police describe the suspect as a black male, approximately 37-years-old, 5'7", 225 pounds, with a medium build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect is urged to contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251/52 or call 911.

 

KYW Newsradio's Kim Glovas contributed to this report. 

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