Rape suspect seen on video; $10K reward posted

A man caught on camera in the 1500 block of Church Street in Frankford just before a woman was raped across the street after midnight on Aug. 29, 2012.

By Peter Mucha, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: September 12, 2012

Police are hoping surveillance video and a $10,000 reward will help catch a rapist.

On Aug. 29, a 24-year-old Frankford resident was walking home from a friend's house, when a man forced her into an alley, then beat, strangled and raped her, according to police.

The "brutal," "violent" and "unprovoked" attack left the woman unable to seek help for hours, and hospitalized for days, Capt. John Darby of the Special Victims Unit said at a morning news conference.

A video updated early this afternoon shows from two cameras. One shows a young black male approaching on foot at 12:17 a.m. in the 1500 block of Church Street in Frankford. Then the victim is seen walking away from another another camera, before the man crosses the street, follows her and assaults in the distance, according to police. (View video at http://bit.ly/QhsEpW.)

"He's the attacker," Darby said.

The man is described as about 5-foot-9, with short black hair and medium-to-dark complexion.

The woman's head and facial injuries left her unrecognizable as she began recovery, and since the attack she has been afraid to leave her house, Darby said.

The Mayor's Office posted the $10,000 reward.

So far, police have not seen a pattern that might connect this and other crimes, Darby said.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the tipline at 215-686-8477 (215-686-TIPS).

Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.