Philadelphia police search for alleged rapist caught on surveillance video

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS) PHILADELPHIA - Police have released a surveillance video hoping to find the man they believe committed a brutal sexual assault against a 24-year-old woman just after midnight on August 29. They are now offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

According to police, the woman was walking home when a man came up behind her, beat her, sexually assaulted her, then took her handbag, which contained her cell phone and identification before fleeing the scene.

The man is described as a black male, thin, standing approximately 5' 9" tall. At the time of the assault, he was wearing a white T-shirt, dark colored pants and dark colored shoes.

Philadelphia's NBC10 affiliate reports that the victim's sister told the station the man taunted his victim, saying, "Ha ha, I just gave you HIV" after the attack, which the station reports may have lasted for hours.

The station reports that Special Victims Unit Capt. John Darby told reporters that the victim had been choked and beaten "to the point of almost being unrecognizable."

A neighbor who saw the victim stumbling down the street called 911, reports NBC10, and the woman was tested for HIV at the hospital, but the results have not been released.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call SVU Det. McGoldrick at 215-685-3252/53. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 215-686-8477 or texting 773847.

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