Wyche has a long record of arrests on charges ranging from theft to attempted rape, and he recently finished serving 20 years in prison for burglary and robbery. He was released in May.
"We're just so happy that he is no longer terrorizing women on the streets," said Police Capt. Sharon Seaborough of Central Detectives.
Police believe Wyche may have been responsible for as many as five other robberies, including one that they had initially said was not part of the same pattern. Wyche is also a suspect in an unrelated incident, Seaborough said, but she declined to elaborate.
"As we move forward, we will gain additional information," Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. "We will be working diligently to bring those other jobs in."
Wyche is suspected of robbing six women in the neighborhood since June 25, with the most recent incident taking place Saturday. In the first five attacks, police said, the women were grabbed from behind on the street and choked, thrown to the ground, or knocked unconscious. In the July 16 robbery, a woman was attacked by a man who followed her into her home.
The women were robbed of purses, wallets, or laptops. None of the victims was sexually assaulted. They ranged in age from 25 to 73.
Police said Wyche was caught on a surveillance camera after the July 10 robbery. The footage showed him walking near the scene of the attack, apparently throwing away credit cards.
Police added patrols to the area, including undercover officers, and began questioning people they saw roaming in Society Hill. One of those stopped was Wyche, who provided investigators with identification, police said. Police would not elaborate on when Wyche was questioned, but said getting his name was a key part of the investigation.
Kelly Nelson, a member of the Society Hill Civic Association, said news of Wyche's arrest spread quickly among residents, who are more accustomed to hearing reports of car break-ins than brutal robberies.
"We're very happy," she said. "Things like this don't usually happen in Society Hill, and we're very glad that the police took our concerns so seriously."
Seaborough said women should always remember to be alert to their surroundings, even in a neighborhood they might consider safe.
"We have to really be cognizant of where we are," she said. "Make sure it's well-lit, make sure you know where you're going. You always need to pay attention to what's happening around you."
Contact staff writer Allison Steele at 215-854-2641 or asteele@phillynews.com.
