By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice
UPDATE: A man accused of ambushing five women in Center City has been apprehended, Philadelphia police announced on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
Dynel Walker, wanted in a string of sexual assaults that terrorized women across the 9th and 17th Districts, was captured after a two-week manhunt, police said.
Walker was identified as the suspect in five separate attacks between Friday, July 18, and Sunday, Aug. 3, all occurring in early morning or overnight hours and sharing the same pattern — victims approached from behind and sexually assaulted.
- July 18, 6:40 a.m. — 19XX Spruce St: A woman walking her dog was attacked.
- July 19, 3:13 a.m. — 20XX Delancey St: A woman was ambushed trying to enter her apartment.
- Aug. 2, 8:15 a.m. — 16XX Waverly St: A woman was assaulted from behind.
- Aug. 3, 1:00 a.m. — 4XX S. 15th St: A woman walking to her car was attacked.
- Aug. 3, 12:30 p.m. — 25XX Webster St: A woman unlocking her front door was assaulted.
Walker's last known address was on the 13XXX block of Philmont Avenue, police said.
Captain Margo Alleyne, commanding officer of the Special Victims Unit, will provide an update at 4 p.m. today at SVU Headquarters, 300 East Hunting Park Avenue.
The department had previously asked for the public’s help identifying and locating Walker.
ORIGINAL:
A serial predator is on the run after five women were sexually assaulted in Center City over just two weeks — and now police say they know who he is.
Philadelphia police are urgently seeking the public’s help to track down 37-year-old Dynel Walker, whose last known address is on the 13000 block of Philmont Avenue.
Walker is wanted for a series of violent sexual assaults that — which happened between Friday, July 18, and Sunday, Aug. 3 — share the same pattern, suspect description, and occurred within blocks of each other in the 9th and 17th Districts, investigators explained. All victims were approached from behind, often in early morning or late-night hours.
- Friday, July 18 at 6:40 a.m.: A woman walking her dog in the 1900 block of Spruce Street said she was suddenly assaulted by a man.
- Saturday, July 19 at 3:13 a.m.: A woman attempting to enter her apartment building on the 2000 block of Delancey Street reported she was ambushed and sexually assaulted.
- Saturday, Aug. 2 at 8:15 a.m.: A woman in the 1600 block of Waverly Street told police a man grabbed her from behind, reached over her shoulder, and assaulted her.
- Sunday, Aug. 3 at 1:00 a.m.: A woman walking to her car in the 400 block of South 15th Street said she was followed and attacked from behind.
- Sunday, Aug. 3 at 12:30 p.m.: A woman unlocking her front door on the 2500 block of Webster Street reported a man walked up behind her and sexually assaulted her.
The Walker is described as a Black male, with a brown complexion and thin build, standing between 5-foot-11 and 6-foot tall. He has long dreadlocks, twists, or braids — sometimes worn in a ponytail — and appears to have a light mustache and goatee, police said.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3251, or submit an anonymous tip by calling or texting 215-686-TIPS (8477). Photos and video can also be emailed to tips@phillypolice.com, or submitted through this form.