Masked Suspect Accused of Terrorizing Women in Center City
Philadelphia police are searching for a masked man who allegedly chased and threatened women in Center City during the early morning hours.
Police released surveillance video Monday showing the suspect following a woman who jogged near City Hall around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. According to Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith, the man held his cellphone toward the woman and allegedly asked, “Are you ready to die?” The woman screamed for help as she tried to escape. Police said the suspect eventually stopped chasing her, walked north on 15th Street and entered Suburban Station.
Another woman, who identified herself as Jameka but asked Action News not to use her last name, said she encountered the suspect minutes earlier near the La Colombe coffee shop. She noticed him approaching the jogger and warned the woman to look behind her.
Jameka then watched the suspect try to enter the coffee shop before he turned his attention toward her. She confronted him and kicked him in the chest after he appeared to prepare for a fight. She said the suspect quickly ran away.
Police also learned that the man allegedly confronted another woman inside or near the coffee shop. A security guard intervened during that encounter.
Investigators believe the suspect may have recorded some of the incidents with his cellphone. Police described him as a male between 16 and 20 years old. Authorities also said he allegedly implied that he had a weapon, although officers never saw one.
Despite the frightening encounters, police said all of the victims escaped without injuries. Investigators want to identify the suspect and determine whether he committed additional incidents.
Police expect the suspect to face charges including terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault and intimidation.
Anyone with information about the suspect should contact Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Masked Suspect Accused of Terrorizing Women in Center City was originally published on rnbphilly.com
