Serial rapist and murderer
still on the loose

Philadelphia police last week renewed their warning to the public about a serial rapist and murderer who they believe has attacked at least four women and killed one in city parks since spring 2003.
The most recent known rape occurred last Aug. 11 in the Northeast in a section of Pennypack Park near Frankford and Solly avenues. Three other attacks, including one deadly, all occurred in 2003 in Fairmount Park and have been linked to the same suspect by DNA evidence.
The suspect’s method was similar in each case.
Each time, he grabbed the victim as she walked or jogged alone in the park. In at least two cases, he used a knife to force his victims to comply.
In one instance on Oct. 25, 2003, a 37-year-old victim fought back and sustained stab wounds to her neck and hands. But she escaped. The attack occurred near West River Drive, south of the Falls Bridge.
The suspect also used a knife in a April 30, 2003, attack on a 21-year-old jogger near Kelly Drive and Fountain Green Road. He fled after raping her.
The murder occurred on July 13, 2003, when the man grabbed 30-year-old medical student Rebecca Park from the 3500 block of Conshohocken Ave. in Wynnefield Heights near her home. Detectives found her body four days later a short distance from a nearby running trail. She had been raped and strangled.
The 29-year-old victim in last year’s Pennypack Park assault reported that the suspect choked her and threatened her as he dragged her from a paved creek-side path into the secluded woods, where he raped her and then fled. It occurred at about 8 p.m.
She described the rapist as a Hispanic male with a Latino accent, 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium and muscular build and dark complexion. He had black hair, a thin mustache, thin beard and bushy eyebrows. He has been seen with an earring in the left ear and scarring on his left chest and shoulder area. He has been seen riding a purple and metallic 10-speed bike.
During last year’s attack, he wore a matching mesh sleeveless basketball shirt and shorts that were light blue with white trim. He also wore a gold chain with a crucifix pendant.
Call the special victims unit at 215-685-3251 or the homicide unit at 215-686-3335 to report information about the suspect. ••