Police Make Arrest in Armed Sexual Assault at SEPTA City Hall Station
SEPTA police say they have taken into custody a person of interest who resembled a suspect seen in security footage and who was carrying a loaded gun.
Surveillance cameras captured footage of a suspect. | Image via Philadelphia Police/6ABC Action News
Philadelphia police have taken a person of interest into custody in relation to an armed sexual assault that occurred in SEPTA’s City Hall station on Tuesday night.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, when, authorities say, a man in his 20s walked up behind the victim, a 17-year-old girl, on the station’s southbound platform. He allegedly pulled out a gun and forced her to perform a sex act before fleeing the scene.
According to SEPTA police chief Thomas J. Nestell III, the person of interest who was arrested on Wednesday resembled the suspect seen in surveillance footage from the station, pictured above, and was illegally in possession of a loaded gun. He was arrested at the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby.
Shortly before 6pm, a recent graduate of the Police Academy, Transit PO Baron and his FTO, PO Clark stopped a person resembling the rape suspect. He was in possession of a loaded Glock 9mm. @PhillyPolice SVU has pounced on this possibility. KEEP THE TIPS COMING! pic.twitter.com/IJHoCMYg2h
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) July 5, 2018
The suspect seen in the surveillance footage is described as a tall, thin man with a mustache, last seen wearing a tan hat, white hooded sweatshirt with red and blue stripes, gray sweatpants and red sneakers.
Police will work to determine whether the person arrested on Thursday is the suspect. Anyone with information should call the Special Victims Unit at 215-686-3251, submit a tip at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or call 911.
