File photo. Read more YONG KIM / Staff Photographer

by Robert Moran Published Aug. 4, 2025, 5:11 p.m. ET

Police on Monday warned of a recent pattern of sexual assaults in and near Center City involving a man on the street approaching women from behind.

“It seems like it’s escalating,” said Capt. Margo Alleyne-Parker of the Special Victims Unit, highlighting that three of the five known reports of attacks occurred over the weekend.

Alleyne-Parker said there may be other attacks that have not been reported, and she said detectives were reviewing several months of reports to see if any other incidents fit the apparent pattern.

One of the women suffered minor injuries after she attempted to shove the assailant, who pushed back and caused the woman to fall, Alleyne-Parker said.

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